The State PWD Minister CM Udasi had recently, while participating in a function said
a proposal has been set to the government to concretize the Shiradi Ghat road at a cost
of several crores of rupees. But no one can remember exactly as to the number of times
the government has made such an announcement with regard to the Shiradi Ghat. The
several statements made by elected representatives and ministers in this regard since the
past couple of years are only reflective of their concern for the pathetic state of the road,
but does not clearly state anything regarding the government decision.
The condition of the Shiradi Ghat stretch of road has often been in the news since the past
few years. Discussion of Shiradi Ghat has in a way even become a favorite pass time of
the people.
No one can underestimate the need to concretize and widen the Ghat section road. The
project may at the most need Rs 200 crores. But the tragedy is that this important link
road between Mangalore and Bangalore, has never been in a good condition since the
past several years. The same road is also used by the gigantic oil tankers. These tankers
have many a time met with accidents on the Ghat section, leading to traffic blockades for
hours together.
The only solution to all the problems of the Ghat section is to concretize it and also
convert it into a four-lane road.
It has been years since the Centre approved the conversion of the Bangalore-Mangalore
highway into a four-lane. The work is underway from Bangalore to Hassan. But it has
not commenced from the Mangalore side. Had the works been taken up simultaneously
both from Mangalore and Bangalore directions, then the widening and concretization of
the 35 km long Shiradi Ghat road would have been completed by now.
Why can’t the MPs of the region who thunder in the district, sit together with the minister
for surface transport in Delhi and get the works hastened ? Is it that we elected them as
MPs just to attend the ZP and official level meetings in the district? Isn’t it their duty
to see that several projects pertaining to the district were pushed forward at the central
level ?
The neglect of the government towards the condition of the Shiradi Ghat stretch of road,
only exposes the government’s concern and commitment towards the development of
a road which is a vital link between the capital and the fast growing city of Mangalore,
which is considered next to Bangalore in every aspect.
How long should people of the coastal district tolerate this injustice? Have we become
nerveless ?
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