Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)
Beltangady, Aug 26: Charmadi ghat road, which happens to be the only navigable road link between Dakshina Kannada and districts on the other side of the Western Ghats, has remained steady and vehicular traffic has been smooth and unobstructed. Because of high number of vehicles on the narrow road, the movement has been slow but as rain has subsided, there is no immediate threat to traffic.
When Dakshina Kannada and Western Ghats were receiving torrential rainfall, there were clouds of apprehension about the road here too getting closed for traffic. As copious water was flowing through the road here, there was the risk of landslides here too. But with the rains receding, that risk is not felt as of now.
Because of the fear of landslide, both the Dakshina Kannada and Chikkamagaluru district administrations had banned movement of heavy vehicles on this ghat road. As the road bends here are narrow and steep, when heavy vehicles negotiated the bends, other vehicles had to wait. Moreover, because of steep uphill, heavy vehicles had difficulty of movement.
When heavy vehicular traffic was permitted, it was common sight to see trucks, containers etc developing problems and getting stranded on this road. This often caused traffic jams. As all the vehicles from other two roads are diverted to this road, vehicles used to line up for several kilometres.
The main problem now is huge potholes and craters that have formed all through the road. Even after repairs, these potholes have been reappearing within a couple of days.
As of now, vehiculalr traffic has been indefinitely banned on Shiradi ghat section of the highway. In the meanwhile, Uppinangadi police have registered cases against drivers of two containers which moved on Shiradi ghat road even though movement of vehicles has been banned here. Based on complaints filed by on-duty policemen who were on patrol duty there, both the containers were taken into possession, and cases registered against drivers, Riaz (38) and Mohan (37). A police personnel of Uppinangady station stands suspended for allowing vehicles to move ahead on ghat road in spite of ban order in force.
Malnad Hitarakshana Vedike has complained that vehicles coming from Hassan have been moving around freely by claiming to have obtained permission from certain ministers. The Vedike has demanded to stop this practice as vehicles from Dakshina Kannada section of the road are strictly being disallowed.