Shiradi Ghat to be closed on January 20

Road repair work to be completed before May-end: Minister Mahadevappa

The Shiradi Ghat stretch of National Highway 75 connecting Bengaluru and Mangaluru will be closed on January 20 to allow the improvement of the 13-km-long road.

It will be opened after the work is completed. “The work has to be completed before the end of May”, Public Works Department Minister H.C. Mahadevappa told presspersons here on Saturday.

The Minister held a meeting with officers of PWD, senior officers from Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi on the alternative roads.

The improvement of the Shiradi Ghat stretch of NH 75 has been a long standing demand. “The first phase of the project was done at a cost of Rs.70 crore. The first phase covered 13 km. The second phase will cover the remaining 13 km”, he said.

Phase 2 contract bagged

Initially, the contract was given to a firm, which failed to take up the work at the desired speed. “The contract was terminated. Now the firm which executed the project in phase 1 has bagged the phase 2 contract as well. The contractor has procured all equipment necessary for completion of the work in a short period”, the Minister added.

The alternative roads for light and heavy vehicles have been notified. Additional Chief Secretary Lakshminarayan, National Highways Chief Engineer Peshwe and other officers were present.