Udupi: Karnataka Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Tuesday conducted an on-site inspection of the Agumbe Ghat Road to assess the feasibility of undertaking comprehensive development works on one of the state’s most important road corridors connecting the Malnad, semi-Malnad, plains and coastal regions.
Accompanied by engineers and senior officials, the minister reviewed the condition of the road, discussed widening proposals, examined landslide-prone stretches and sought details on long-term engineering measures to improve safety and traffic flow, particularly during the monsoon.
Road widening proposed at critical stretches
During the inspection, Jarkiholi said several sections of the Agumbe Ghat Road require widening to improve safety and facilitate smoother movement of vehicles.
He identified the entrance to the ghat from the Shivamogga side and the 5th, 6th and 7th hairpin bends as key locations where widening and strengthening works are necessary.
The minister also reviewed proposals for constructing retaining walls and other protective structures to stabilise vulnerable sections of the road.
Officials briefed him on the technical challenges involved in executing the project in the hilly terrain.
Vital link between Malnad and the coast
Jarkiholi described the Agumbe Ghat Road as one of the shortest and most important routes connecting the Malnad region with the coastal districts.
He noted that thousands of commuters, including users of light motor vehicles and mini buses, depend on the road every day.
The route is particularly significant for residents of hilly areas who travel to coastal towns for higher education, specialised healthcare and other essential services.
Improving the road, he said, would enhance connectivity while ensuring safer travel for residents and tourists alike.
Agumbe tunnel project faces hurdles
Speaking about the proposed Agumbe tunnel project, the minister said progress has remained stalled despite repeated efforts.
He revealed that tenders had been invited twice to prepare the project blueprint, but no agency had come forward to undertake the assignment.
Jarkiholi observed that constructing the tunnel would involve enormous expenditure and pointed out that several Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) had been prepared over the past 70 years, but none had progressed to the implementation stage.
He indicated that the government would continue evaluating the feasibility of the project before taking any further decision.
Permanent solutions sought for landslides
The minister directed officials to provide detailed information on scientific methods that could help prevent recurring landslides along the ghat road.
He said annual landslides during the monsoon frequently disrupt traffic, leading to temporary road closures and posing risks to commuters.
Referring to the recent landslide on the Balebare Ghat Road, where heavy vehicles have been restricted, Jarkiholi said the diversion of traffic through Agumbe Ghat has substantially increased vehicular movement on the already narrow road.
Combined with heavy rainfall, the increased traffic has heightened public concerns over road safety.
He assured that repair and strengthening works would be taken up on priority while long-term engineering solutions would be developed in consultation with technical experts.
Forest clearances remain a challenge
The minister acknowledged that implementation of major road development works has been delayed because portions of the Agumbe Ghat Road pass through forest and wildlife areas.
To address these issues, he announced that a high-level meeting involving senior officials of the Public Works Department and the Forest Department would be convened in Bengaluru.
The meeting is expected to finalise a road development plan while resolving issues related to environmental clearances and project implementation.
Rainfall, drinking water and crop concerns
Commenting on the southwest monsoon, Jarkiholi said rainfall during the current season has remained below normal.
However, he expressed confidence that the rainfall received so far would be sufficient to meet drinking water requirements until June next year.
At the same time, he cautioned that if rainfall does not resume within the next ten days, standing crops across several areas could suffer damage.
Footbridges improving connectivity
The minister said the government has prioritised improving connectivity for residents living in forest-fringe villages.
According to him, more than 600 footbridges have been constructed across the district, including over 60 in Hebri taluk alone.
He added that work on another 30 footbridges would commence shortly to further improve access for rural communities.
Jarkiholi also instructed PWD engineers to expedite repairs of pothole-ridden roads and complete all ongoing infrastructure projects in the district at the earliest.
Residents seek four-laning of Hebri stretch
During the visit, local residents submitted a memorandum requesting the minister to recommend the widening of the National Highway stretch from Hebri Kelapete to the Police Quarters Road into a four-lane road.
They said traffic congestion has worsened due to the ongoing construction of NH-169A (Udupi-Hebri Road) and increased movement of vehicles on the Shivamogga-Hebri-Manipal-Udupi-Malpe corridor.
According to the memorandum, daily traffic jams at Hebri Circle have been causing inconvenience to motorists, ambulances, pedestrians and schoolchildren.
Former Minister and Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra, local leader Muniyalu Uday Kumar Shetty, engineers from the National Highways Department and other officials accompanied the minister during the inspection.