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Organisations hold protest urging passage to heavy vehicles on Shiradi Ghat road

Protestors block traffic movement

Buses allowed passage

Puttur: A protest was staged by Malenadu Janahitha Rakshana Vedike and various other organisations  at Gundya town, Nelyadi near here urging the administration to revoke the ban placed on the movement of heavy vehicles on the Shiradi Ghat. They demanded that at least buses and six-wheeler trucks should be allowed passage.

The protestor said that Shiradi Ghat has been closed for the last nine months for one or the other reason. This has inflicted a very adverse effect on the economic, social and education system. Therefore, at least passenger buses and six-wheeler trucks should be allowed to ply on the ghat with immediate effect, they demanded.

"Heavy vehicles are banned to ply on Shiradi Ghat giving the excuse of landslides. The landslides which have taken place under the limits of Dakshina Kannada are repaired. However, the work of clearing and repairing of landslides that have taken place on the ghat under the limits of Sakleshapur is pending. Without repairing this, the light vehicles are allowed to use the ghat. The highway authorities have said that the buses can ply under the existing conditions. However, the same is intentionally banned by the administration. The district administration has to look into this immediately and take action," said Kishore Shiradi, Convener of the Vedike.

Protestors block traffic movement

The protesters resorted to blocking of the highway, as the intensity of the protest increased. The police intervened and pacified the protesters not to block the traffic. But the protesters urged the police and demanded that the highway authorities come to the spot and give explanation as to why the heavy vehicles are not allowed to ply on the ghat.

Consequently, highway department officials arrived at the spot of protest after Uppinangady sub-inspector Nandakumar contacted them. The protestors called off their protest after the officials gave the reasons and information for the closure of heavy vehicle traffic on the ghat. 

Buses allowed passage

"Information is already relayed to the deputy commissioners of both the districts to allow the movement of six-wheeled vehicles including Volvo buses. However, due to safety reasons, the same is stopped. Your demands will be once again brought to the notice of the deputy commissioners and a report will be submitted," said Nanjappa, a highway department official. C V Reddy, engineer of National Highway Authority (NHAI) was present with him.