Coastal Karnataka hit hard by landslide-induced highway blockages

Team Udayavani, Jul 20, 2024, 11:35 AM IST

Mangaluru: As the monsoon rages on, the “Ghat” roads connecting the Silicon City of Bengaluru to the coast have once again fallen victim to landslides. Despite yearly occurrences and changes in administration, the issue remains unresolved.

The Shiradi Ghat highway has been damaged by a landslide, and repair work has necessitated the restriction of all vehicular movement (except emergency services). On the Sampaje route, vehicle movement is prohibited from 8 PM to 6 AM until July 22. Currently, only Charmadi is available for traffic.

The bottleneck of about 30 km stretch of road from Gundya to Sakleshpur, which connects two major cities and facilitates transactions worth crores of rupees, results in dangerous travel conditions during each monsoon.

Commerce between Mangaluru and Bengaluru is severely affected. Business transactions worth hundreds of crores occur between these two cities. Major economic enterprises like NMPT, MRPL, and MSEZ are located on the state’s coast.

Additionally, the transportation of vegetables, groceries, and fuel between Mangaluru and Bengaluru is disrupted. The complete closure of Shiradi, Sampaje, and Charmadi for a few days would significantly impact direct business operations.

Travelers Distressed!

The Ghat issue is causing severe inconvenience to travelers. Most private and government buses have reduced their trips, leaving those in urgent need of travel in distress.

“Rain is normal, but we fail every year in managing it. Landslides keep recurring. We are already facing economic setbacks, and stopping bus services due to road issues will cause further hardships. Authorities should now focus on providing a permanent solution,” says Sadananda Chatra, Vice President of Canara Bus Owners’ Association.

Rail Travel Also Unsafe!

Although rail service is currently available, travel on the tracks between Sakleshpur and Kukke Subramanya is risky during the monsoon. There have been instances of landslides on the tracks in this area in the past.

Alternative “Ghat” Roads Need Attention

According to the National Highway Authority of India, over 10,000 vehicles pass through Shiradi daily. When repairs or landslides occur, Charmadi, Sampaje, Mal, Bale Bare, Agumbe, and Hulikal Ghats are suggested as alternatives.

Currently, night travel is not allowed on Sampaje. While Charmadi and Hulikal are available, they are congested. Traveling on other Ghats is also difficult due to rain.

Cargo Transport Collapses!

Various products, including coffee and vegetables, are shipped in large quantities from New Mangalore Port to different parts of the country and abroad. These goods are transported by trucks from regions like Hassan, Kodagu, and Bengaluru to New Mangalore Port. The closure of Shiradi, Sampaje, and Charmadi affects cargo transport significantly, causing a notable drop during every monsoon.

Oil Transport Hit!

Petroleum products like petrol, diesel, and gas produced by MRPL are transported by HPCL and BPCL to various parts of the state. The closure of Shiradi and Sampaje hampers oil transportation, and a prolonged closure would further impact supply.

Charmadi Also Perilous!

The closure of Shiradi and Sampaje has increased pressure on Charmadi, resulting in heavy traffic. Vehicles are queued up for kilometers. There are several issues in this route, including cracks in the road, weak retaining walls, and dangerous trees. With steep turns, if heavy vehicles get stuck, the Charmadi route itself could become problematic.

Trucks, Tankers Stranded!

“About 3,000 trucks, including tankers and goods vehicles, travel daily between Mangaluru and Bengaluru. If the Ghat suddenly closes and perishable goods spoil, who will answer for our plight? Drivers stuck in traffic without access to food and refreshments – who is responsible? If vehicles are stopped for four or five days, who will compensate for the loss? Heavy vehicles are stranded. Temporarily fixing the road for vehicle movement, but any future mishap – who will take responsibility?” questions Sunil D’ Souza, General Secretary of the DK Truck Owners’ Association.

“Ghat roads are crucial for business and industry in the coastal region. Properly maintained roads ensure smooth operations. Any problem in these roads leads to traffic issues and significant financial losses. There have been several appeals for a permanent solution. While the Shiradi Tunnel Project is in the pipeline, the current road should be made suitable for traffic. Urgent completion of Ghat road repairs is necessary to facilitate vehicle movement,” said Ananthesh V. Prabhu, President, Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Mangaluru