Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (KD/NR)

Mangalore, Jul 21: An order effective from Jul 21 has been issued by the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada barring heavy vehicles from proceeding through the Shiradi ghat section of Mangalore-Bangalore NH 48 that comes under its jurisdiction. And the deputy commissioner of Hassan district has also imposed a similar ban till the end of September, 2007. 

B Mahesh Rao the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada told media persons, that the district administration of Dakshina Kannada haven't yet decided whether to defer the decision or not. 

The said NH 48 connects both Hassan and Dakshina Kannada.  Hence, both the administrations are expected to co-ordinate this aspect while imposing the ban. The district administration of Dakshina Kannada had imposed the ban earlier while the district administration of Hassan imposed the similar ban later, on July 19.

 In the order communicating the imposition of the ban, the district administration of Hassan has clarified that no vehicle would be allowed whose tonnage exceeds 16 tons. 

Torrential rainfall in western ghat has temporarily halted the road repairs work being undertaken. The 30 kms stretch which has been extensively damaged now needs major repairs to be done. Moreover, it would not be possible to undertake repairs during the monsoon. 

Tenders are being invited for the repair works, in which it is stipulated that the said works should begin after the monsoon.  However, the patchworks to fill up the pot holes are still in progress.

The inconvenience to commuters can't be denied as the difference is evident, between the orders of the two district administrations. Hence all heavy vehicles, namely, bullet tankers carrying LPG and petroleum products, timber, granite and mines trucks, are barred, while Volvo and passenger buses are allowed to use the highway.