While farmers across the State are worrying over the possible delay in monsoon, the shopkeepers and residents of Sakleshpur, who are dependant on the Shiradi Ghat stretch of National Highway 75 for various reasons, want the rain delayed. They hope that if the rain was delayed by a few more days, then the repair and strengthening of the Shiradi Ghat stretch would be completed and make the journey to Mangaluru easier.
The work taken up by the National Highways division of the Public Works Department at a cost of Rs. 69.9 crore should have been completed by now and the road opened for vehicles. Heavy rain during April and May delayed the work, which is now going on at a fast pace. The officials at the project site are hopeful of completing it in another 15 days, if there was no rainfall to disturb the work. The stretch was closed on January 2 this year and vehicles plying between Mangaluru and Bangaluru have been diverted to Charmadi Ghat and other alternative roads. Many families have set up eateries, bakeries and petty shops along the Shiardi Ghat. They were earning well when the road was open for vehicles. The tourists used to stop at Manjarabad fort and shops nearby would make business. Rajesh had a tea-shop at Donigal near Sakaleshpur. He was earning Rs. 5,000 a day when vehicles were moving. He has closed the shop and waiting for the road to be opened for vehicles.
For last six months the business is zero. All business establishments are closed. They are all hoping that once the road is reopened the business would be normal.
The officials of National Highways , who wished not to be named, told The Hindu that concrete laying had been completed in six-kilometres, and work in the remaining stretch is at different stages of completion. If there were no rains, the work could be completed in next 15 days. The senior officers of the PWD would take a decision on opening the road for vehicles once the work was completed.
It is helping them earn extra income
Farmers are worried about delay in the onset of monsoon
