Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Aug 28: Malnad Janahita Rakshana Vedike had planned a programme to take stock of the situation at Shiradi ghat on Monday August 27. However, the programme had to be canceled on account of prohibitory orders.

The programme was planned with the aim of pressurizing the government to repair Shiradi ghat road at the earliest, give some leverage on the rule governing movement of vehicles, and allow light vehicles to move on the road. But the district administration intervened and issued prohibitory orders, as a result of which the Samiti had to withdraw its progamme of undertaking Padayatra in Shiradi ghat. Instead, symbolic protest was held at Gundia.

MLA, Dr Tejaswini Ramesh, speaking on the occasion, said that public works are meant for the convenience of the public and delaying tactics should not be employed as they create problems for the people. She said that the protesters are not against development works but pointed out that at a time when Madikeri road is closed for traffic and Charmadi ghat is witnessing too heavy traffic, closing down of Shiradi ghat road has complicated matters. She urged the deputy commissioner of the district to visit the place and find a solution to the problem at the earliest.

She called the deputy commissioner of the district from the spot over phone. As he did not receive the call, she called additional chief secretary of the state government, informed about the problems here, and asked for cars and mini tempos to be allowed to move on this road. Tejaswini later said that the additional secretary has assured to consider the matter sympathetically and speak to the district administration .

Committee members said that the normal life of people living in Shiradi and Gundia areas have become very difficult because of banning vehicular movement on Shiradi ghat road. They demanded that light vehicles at least should be allowed to move on this road within a week.

Noting that six Indore-based trailers which had come to Gundia as they were under the impression that traffic on Shiradi ghat road had resumed, have been stranded there since the last 15 days and their drivers are suffering for want of money and other facilities. Tejaswini Ramesh, who lent an ear to their problems, requested the police officers to let the vehicles go through Shiradi ghat under police protection.