Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (MS)

Puttur, Sep 23: Malenadu Janahitha Rakshana Vedike and various other organisations staged a protest at Gundya town, Nelyadi near here urging the administration to revoke the ban placed on the movement of heavy vehicles on the Shiradi Ghat and allow at least buses and six-wheeler trucks.

The protesters, under the auspices of Vedike, said that Shiradi Ghat is closed for the last nine months for one or the other reason. Due to which, the economic, social and education system has affected badly. So from immediate effect, at least passenger buses and six-wheeler trucks should be allowed to ply on the ghat.

Convener of the Vedike, Kishore Shiradi said, "Heavy vehicles are banned to ply on Shiradi Ghat giving the excuse of landslides. The landslides which have taken place under the limits of Dakshina Kannada are repaired. However, the work of clearing and repairing of landslides that have taken place on the ghat under the limits of Sakleshapur is pending. Without repairing this, the light vehicles are allowed to use the ghat. The highway authorities have said that the buses can ply under the existing conditions. However, the same is intentionally banned by the administration. The district administration has to look into this immediately and take action."

As the intensity of the protest increased, the protesters resorted to blocking of the highway. The police intervened and pacified the protesters not to block the traffic. The protesters urged the police and said that the highway authorities have to come to the spot and explain to them as to why the heavy vehicles are not allowed to ply on the ghat. Uppinangady sub-inspector Nandakumar contacted the highway department officials and they arrived at the spot of protest and gave the reasons and information for the closure of heavy vehicle traffic on the ghat. Then the protesters called off their protest.

Buses will be allowed to ply

Nanjappa from the highway department approached the protesters and said, "Information is already relayed to the deputy commissioners of both the districts to allow the movement of six-wheeled vehicles including Volvo buses. However, due to safety reasons, the same is stopped. Your demands will be once again brought to the notice of the deputy commissioners and a report will be submitted." C V Reddy, engineer of National Highway Authority was present with Nanjappa.

The members of the Vedike like Damodar Gundya, Subhash Gundaya, Yathish Gundya, Suryanarayana Shishila, Sudhir Kumar Arasinamakki, Sharif B C Road, Mohammed Altaf, Ashraf and Mohammed were present.