Traffic continues to move at a snail’s pace at Charmadi Ghat which has become an important alternative after National Highway 75 (Mangaluru to Bengaluru) was closed at Shiradi Ghat for repairs. “This (the restricted traffic movement) will continue for the next few days,” said Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim, who visited Charmadi Ghat to oversee the situation.
There was a huge pile up of vehicles on the road on Friday evening. Friday was the first day of use of alternative roads since Shiradi Ghat was closed for concreting works on the 25-km stretch from Heggadde near Sakleshpur to the Dakshina Kannada border.
Depending on the class of vehicles, traffic is being routed through Charmadi Ghat (Moodigere-Charmadi-Belthangady), Madikeri (Sullia-Madikeri-Mysuru) and Honnavar (through Sagar and Shivamogga). Talking to reporters here on Saturday, Mr. Ibrahim said the police had to stop traffic movement on the Ghat from both sides.
Additional home guards have been posted for regulation of traffic on the Charmadi Ghat. Mr. Ibrahim said he was in constant touch with officials in Chikkamagaluru. Mr. Ibrahim said there was no problem in the movement of traffic on the Madikeri- Mysuru Road stretch.
On the difficulties caused to residents of Mani and Shiradi due to the absence of buses, Mr. Ibrahim said KSRTC would be running a few trips on this stretch.
