mangalore today

Khader, Abhayachandra caught in Charmadi Ghat traffic logjam


Mangalore Today News Network

Belthangady, Jan 4, 2015: State Health Minister UT Khader and Youth Services Minister Abhayachandra Jain on January 3, Saturday  felt the pinch of the traffic snarls which the common people face due to the closure of the Shiradi Ghat stretch of road. If the alternate route of Charmady Ghat was blocked on day one itself, the situation was no different on day two i.e January 3.

 

Charmadi road

 

Charmadi road


Both Khader and Jain who were on way to Mangaluru and Moodbidri respectively from Chikkamagaluru were caught in the traffic logjam.

 

Holding the NHAI officials responsible for the situation on Charmadi, Minister for Health U T Khader said that the NHAI should have taken up measures to repair Charmadi ghat before the closure of Shiradi Ghat. As they have not done that all these problems have cropped up.

"I have alerted the Public Works Department Minister of the situation and he is likely to direct the Deputy Commissioner to implement necessary steps,” he added.

 

Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said the situation was “very bad”. He said he had spoken to his counterpart in Chikkmagaluru B.S. Shekharappa to ensure smooth traffic. Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police Sharanappa S.D. said confusion over the routes was to blame as it was the first day when vehicle users were asked to take alternative routes. Flow of vehicles from either side had led to the pile up.

The Shiradi Ghat was closed for repair on Friday and different types of vehicles are being diverted via different alternative routes such as via Charmadi Ghat (Moodigere-Charmadi-Belthangady), via Madikeri-Mysore and via Honnavar.

 

Now the question is whether the two ministers who have had  a firsthand experience of the problem that has arisen  due to the  closure of the Shiradi Ghat, would try to solve the problem and ensure that least hardship is caused to the motorists.