Demanding that buses and six-wheel lorries be allowed on Shiradi Ghat, the members of Malenadu Janahitha Rakshana Vedike staged a protest at Gundya on Saturday.
The protesters said that the Shiradi Ghat stretch is closed for the last nine months, due to various reasons. The closure of the road has affected the economy of the district. Hence, buses and six-wheel lorries should be allowed to ply on the stretch, they said.
Malenadu Janahitha Rakshana Vedike convener Kishore Shiradi said, “On the pretext of landslides, the authorities have prohibited the movement of heavy vehicles on Shiradi Ghat. The landslide-affected areas have been cleared on the stretch. In spite of it, buses are not allowed to operate on the stretch. The road is closed purposefully,”
The protesters demanded NH officials to visit the spot to apprise them on the condition of Shiradi Ghat.
Nanjappa from NH, who visited the spot, said that NH has informed the deputy commissioner on permitting buses and six-wheel lorries on Shiradi Ghat. In the interest of the safety of the passengers, the road is closed for the movement of buses and lorries, he explained.