Vehicles moving on Shiradi Ghat after it was thrown open at Gundya in Dakshina Kannada on Sunday. Ending the six-month ordeal of motorists who had to take circuitous routes to commute between the coast and the hinterlands, Shiradi Ghat was opened for traffic on Sunday afternoon after Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, Dakshina Kannada; Ministers H.D. Revanna and U.T. Khader; and others inaugurated the concreted remaining portion of the Ghat. Of the 37 km of the ghat stretch, 26 km was proposed for concreting in 2014 and the stretch between Heggadde and Kempu Hole Guest House in Hassan district was concreted between January-August 2015. Concreting of the remaining 13 km started on January 15 this year, from when traffic was banned through Shiradi Ghat. Vehicles had to mainly depend upon Sampaje (very heavy vehicles) and Charmadi (other vehicles) Ghats for the journey. Though the contractor – M/s Ocean Constructions – technically had 18 months to complete the work as per the contract, it obliged the government and people by completing the work in six months. Yet, some ancillary safety works are pending, which will be completed in a fortnight. Incidentally, the same contractor had executed the first package. Speaking after the inauguration, H.D. Revanna, Minister for Public Works, urged Mr. Kateel to take up the proposed Shiradi Green Bypass Project [between Marenahalli, in Hassan district, and Gundiya in Dakshina Kannada district] with the Centre to further ease travel between the coast and the hinterlands. He said an estimate of ?12,500 crore had been prepared for the project. A detailed project report is also ready. “MP Kateel has to take the project forward. The project has to be executed on Build-Operate-Tranfer model with funds arranged by the Union government,” he said. Mr. Revanna said presently ?36,000 crore worth road work of the National Highways Authority of India and of the State government were in progress in the State. Recently, a meeting was chaired by Chief Minister with Revenue, Forest, Electricity, Water Supply and other departmental heads to clear issues stalling the road work. The Chief Secretary will be reviewing the works every month and take action for their timely completion, he added. On the Centre’s request, the State has decided to reduce utility shifting charges for highway projects from the existing 12.5% of the project cost to 2.5%. Mr. Kateel, Mr. Khader and Mr. Revanna inaugurated the 13-km stretch of concrete road near the Kempuhole Guest House that is laid at a cost of ?74 crore under Package 2 in the presence of legislators and former Minister B. Ramanath Rai. Vehicles had piled up at the Gundiya Gate since morning to move via Shiradi Ghat. Police allowed vehicles to pass by around 4 p.m. Among those who moved on the newly-laid road included a group of cyclists from Mangalore Bicycle Club who cycled from Gundiya to Heggadde and back. Only light vehicles allowed for a fortnight Only two-wheelers, four wheelers and tempos will be allowed to move on the Shiradi Ghat for the next 15 days to facilitate taking up of safety works, including that of guard walls. The decision was taken at a meeting of Minister for Urban Development U.T. Khader with Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner S. Sasikanth Senthil and Superintendent of Police B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda at Gundiya on Sunday. The authorities decided to restrict vehicular speed at 60 kmph on the stretch while police would keep interceptors at vantage positions to book violators. Earlier, Minister for Public Works H.D. Revanna urged motorists to exercise caution since it was a newly-laid road. The contractor M/s Ocean Constructions has sought a fortnight to complete balance works, he said.

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