The closure of Shiradi Ghat stretch of National Highway 75 to facilitate its repair and strengthening, has prompted the people of Hassan district to seek an increase in the number of trains between Hassan and Mangaluru. The closure of the Shiradi Ghat stretch has affected the residents of Sakleshpur and Alur taluks, who are dependant on Mangaluru for their business and educational needs.
A large number of merchants carry vegetables from Hassan to Mangaluru every day. Similarly, people bring fish from Mangaluru to parts of Hassan every day. Besides, many people have admitted their children to schools and colleges in Dakshina Kannada district.
Major impact
Before the closure of the Shiradi Ghat, travelling to Mangaluru from Hassan was hassle-free, except the bad condition of the road. But now, the residents of Alur and Sakleshpur have to reach Mangaluru via Mudigere.
Kantharaju, merchant in Sakaleshpur, said he had to reach Mangaluru via Mudigere and Charmadi Ghat. “The road connecting Sakleshpur and Mudigere is worse. The work to upgrade the road was launched a month ago, but there is no progress in it. Alternatively, we can go to Mudigere via Belur,” he said.
The Hassan Chamber of Industries and Commerce has also appealed to the State and Union governments to increase the train connectivity. People commuting between Hassan and Mangaluru frequently for various reasons, want additional trains between the two places.
H.B. Praveen, native of Puttur, who runs a printing press at Hassan, said the Railway Ministry had not tapped the full potential of the Hassan-Mangaluru route. “Track has been laid in the forests of Western Ghats by spending huge money. But, the purpose of laying the track by cutting trees has not been served. The existing train services, which include a day train, thrice a week and a night train every day, are inadequate,” he said.
Interestingly, the Railways is not introducing the trains it had announced on this route in the previous budgets. The ministry had announced that a Bengaluru-Mangaluru Express train via Mysuru would be introduced. The people wanted this train to run via Arsikere, instead of Mysore. However, it has not come into effect.
