Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Sep 7: Shiradi Ghat section of the national highway 48 had been closed for vehicular traffic from September 3 to 12, for removing the boulders standing on either side of the national highway that posed danger to the vehicles. However, the people are apprehensive about the chances of the road being reopened for traffic on September 13, as no work has been started by the concerned to remove the boulders so far, although four days of the ban period have been lost.

The National Highways Authority of India should have ensured that all the preparations are made in advance, and everything is in readiness to make use of the ban period to the fullest extent for executing the work, before getting the traffic ban enforced through the district administration. However, it appears as if there are no plans on hand, and the concerned are not at all in a hurry to execute the works. The people have informed that several trucks violate the ban and climb down the ghat road at night. At the same time, no vehicles are being allowed to move past Gundia near here, towards Hassan.

It is reported, that out of the five compressors summoned to crush the boulders, two have been sent back, without utilizing their services. The district administration, the people believe, does not check the ground realities or inspect advance preparations, before enforcing a ban on the traffic on this road, and the common man suffers every time a ban is placed, as the vehicles have to wind through the clogged stretches of Charmadi ghat or Madikeri, which are inconvenient, involve longer distances and eat up much lot of extra time.