Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)
Puttur, Sep 19: Malnad Janahita Rakshana Vedike has urged deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district to reopen Shiradi ghat stretch of national highway 75 for buses and trucks before September 21. The Vedike demanded the concerned to undertake repair works if any for the road if it has suffered landslide, and to open the road at any cost for passenger buses and six-wheel transport trucks before the said date.
A delegation led by convener of Malnad Janahita Rakshana Vedike, Kishore Shiradi, met deputy commissioner (DC) of the district, Sasikanth Senthil, on Tuesday September 18 and handed over memorandum. The DC has been informed that a protest programme would be organized at Gundia on September 22 to attract the attention of the government to the plight of the people.
"This road had been closed since January 2018 for repairs and renovation. Later, the road was opened for traffic. Thereafter, in the guise of heavy rain and landslides, the road was closed again for traffic. At the same time, Madikeri road, which had suffered worst form of landslides, has been repaired and reopened," it pointed out. The Vedike also said that in Charmadhi ghat, which is more treacherous as compared to Shiradi ghat, movement of heavy vehicles is allowed. The officials are saying that the road is facing danger but no repair works are currently being undertaken to set the problem right," the Vedike complained.
The delegation drew the attention of the DC to the fact that local people and passengers do not have vehicles to travel and they find it hard even to carry on with day-today life. People who depend on business done by passengers are in dire straits. Therefore, this road should be opened for buses and six-wheel trucks, they demanded.
Members of the Vedike, Damodar Gundia, Subhash Gundia, Sudheer Kumar Arasinamakki, truck driver-cum-owner, Shariff B C Road, and several others were present. The delegation also visited Uppinangady police station and handed over memorandum to the station house officer there.