Closure of Shiradi Ghat to be decided after DC’s spot inspection: Ramanath Rai

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 21, 2017: DK District in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai yesterday dec 20, said that DK DC will decide about complete or partial closure of Shiradi Ghat during its Phase 2 reconstruction after a on-the-spot study by the DC Public Works Department engineers.

 

National Highways division of the PWD is expected to commence the reconstruction work from January 1. Presiding over a review meeting here, Minister Rai said the DK DC along with  engineers, will inspect the entire 13-km stretch set for concreting between Addahole and Kempu Hole Guest House. Later, the administration will decide whether the stretch has to be completely closed or remain open for light motor vehicles. The Minister said the National Highways division of the Public Works Department has to commence reconstruction work at the earliest as the work is already delayed for long. It also has to examine the condition of alternative routes proposed for movement of heavy vehicles during the closure.

Minister for Food and Civil Supplies U T Khader said before starting the work on Shiradi Ghat, the work on developing and widening Charmadi Ghat stretch should be initiated.

Shakuntala Shetty, MLA for Puttur, said there was no need to close the entire 13-km stretch at once. Traffic should be allowed between Kempuhole and Gundya and Gundya to Addahole in phases to allow vehicular movement via Kaikamba-Kadaba- Uppinangadi. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner S. Sasikanth Senthil said that the administration would allot two exclusive sand blocks in non-CRZ area to PWD for the reconstruction work. PWD’s Executive Engineer  Ramesh said work order for the reconstruction estimated to cost Rs. 61.57 crore has already been issued.
The work would be completed in five months. Machines have been imported from foreign countries. The movement of vehicles should be banned to maintain the quality of work, experts said.