Mangaluru: Shiradi Ghat, which was under construction for over a couple of months was finally opened for light motor vehicles, as a result of landslides on one hand and minor works on the other. Now that the ghat section is open for all the vehicles, yet another issue has arisen. This time it is the traffic congestion that has been haunting people like a nightmare, especially to the pilgrims of Dharmasthala and Subramanya.
The narrow Highway number 75 has become the bottleneck of this traffic congestion.
The issue began after an LPG tanker, had toppled due to narrow turns. As a result, for several days, vehicles passing by this road were prohibited. The tension grew even more as few stretches between Sakleshpur and Gundya there are narrow allowing only one-way traffic.
Condemning this, the people have begun criticizing the authorities and the departments concerned. However, the shopkeepers at the roadsides are found happy as their business is said to have improved, due to the long halts.
A vegetable truck had fallen at the 10th U-Turn of the ghat, due to which a massive traffic disruption was observed. A crane was deployed to lift the truck from the spot, which made way for traffic congestion stretching over six miles. The movement of vehicles was delayed by three hours. The traffic was back to normal on October 21.
Potholes have become a matter of major concern and the culverts at every turn, are adding to the woes.
