From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 19: Brace up for hardships as the 26-km stretch of the Shiradi Ghat, which is a key link for commuters and motorists travelling from Karnataka’s capital Bengaluru to the coastal city of Mangaluru as well as other parts of Dakshina Kannada, will not be ready by monsoon.

The stark fact comes from none other than Karnataka’s Public Works Minister Dr H C Mahadevappa.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Thursday, the minister said the commuters may have to suffer for long, perhaps even beyond the coming monsoon to travel seamlessly via the Shiradi Ghat between Bengaluru and Mangaluru.

Dr Mahadevappa confessed that repair work of the entire 26-km Ghat stretch will not be completed before the coming monsoon.

He said barely a 13-km stretch of the Shiradi Ghat between Heggadde and Kempu Hole guest house would be completed by the May-deadline.

The Public Works Minister said work on the entire stretch of 26 km was likely to be completed by this year end, possibly by Christmas.

Public Works Department Executive engineers from Mangaluru and Hassan have been monitoring the work on a day-to-day basis, he said.

Senior officials from Bengaluru have also been routinely visiting the site, the minister said.

Work on the 13-km stretch between Heggadde and Kempu Hole guesthouse is going on in full swing with the culverts being reconstructed.

Of the nearly 60 culverts, 20 have been reconstructed, he mentioned.

The Shiradi Ghat is a crucial link between the coast and the hinterland.

Repair work of the remaining 13-km stretch between Kempu Hole guesthouse and Adda Hole near Gundya would be completed after the monsoon, Mahadevappa said.