Mangaluru: Six years after the devastating deluge that partially washed away the Kempuhole River embankment along the Shiradi Ghat on Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway 75, the National Highways Division of the Karnataka Public Works Department has initiated the permanent restoration of the affected stretches.
In August 2018, torrential rains impacted the Kempuhole River embankment in at least 13 locations along the 25 km Shiradi Ghat stretch. The vehicular movement through the ghat was completely banned for a couple of months, gradually reopening for small vehicles, buses, and trucks with temporary protection measures in place.
The NH-PWD has now started the permanent restoration work at a tendered cost of approximately ₹14 crore for about a fortnight. Concrete retaining walls are being constructed from the river base to the concrete road level at these locations to restore the road width. The selected contractor has mobilized resources, deploying men and machinery at multiple locations, including near the Chowdeshwari Temple on the Dakshina Kannada-Hassan district border for efficient execution. The entire restoration work is expected to be completed before the Southwest Monsoon.
Following the 2018 landslides, the Union Road Transport Ministry commissioned a study by experts from the Indian Institute of Science to recommend measures for the permanent restoration of the affected stretches. In 2020, Minister Nitin Gadkari announced a sanction of ₹125 crore for the restoration of three major Ghats, including Sampaje on NH 275, Shiradi, and Charmadi on NH 73.
Additionally, the PWD has identified 10 more vulnerable locations for landslips or landslides during heavy rains along the Shiradi Ghat. A report has been sent to the Union Road Transport Ministry, seeking funds for preventive restoration works at these locations.
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