Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jul 19: The district administrations of Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada closed Madikeri Ghat at around 8 PM on July 18 as a precaution due to the hill collapse that occurred on the Shiradi Ghat on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru national highway. However, this closure was implemented without prior notice.

Police placed barricades near Madikeri Gen Kariappa Circle, at Madenadu halfway on the Ghat, and at the Sampaje check post. As there was no forewarning, hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying women, children, and elderly people, were stuck in the remote villages of Madenadu and Sampaje. Incessant rains further increased the inconvenience for motorists.

Social worker Rasheed Vittal, who was traveling on the same road during midnight, brought the issue to the attention of legislative assembly speaker U T Khader. Aboobaker Puthu, a friend of Rasheed Vittal, was also with him.

U T Khader immediately contacted Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner (DC) Mullai Mugilan and Kodagu superintendent of police (SP) Ramarajan, asking Rasheed Vittal to explain the ground-level situation to both officials. Rasheed Vittal reported that many women were stranded on the road between forests and unable to access restrooms. He also warned that the situation would worsen by morning. Rasheed Vittal informed the DC of DK and SP of Kodagu about the plight of emergency patients en route to Bengaluru and goods vehicles carrying daily necessities stuck on the route.

The DC of DK and SP of Kodagu immediately took action, arranging for all vehicles to be evacuated from Madenadu to Sampaje around 1:30 AM, escorted by police vehicles. They also safely escorted vehicles traveling to Madikeri from Sampaje. Hundreds of passengers stuck in their vehicles heaved a sigh of relief due to the quick actions of Rasheed Vittal, U T Khader, DC of DK, and SP of Kodagu.

People who had been stuck for more than five hours finally found relief. In an era where even lower-level officials often ignore public distress, Speaker U T Khader, DC of DK Mullai Mugilan, and SP of Kodagu Ramarajan emerged as exemplary politicians and government officials.