Chaos at Gundya as Shiradi Ghat opens from Hassan

The Hassan district administration's announcement that Shiradi Ghat will be opened for light vehicles from Wednesday has led to confusion at Gundya with police managing the check-post coming under pressure.

Uppinangady police has been managing the outpost ever since Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner ordered closure of the ghat from August 16 to 25, which was extended later. This had affected the flow of traffic on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru Highway, one of Karnataka's busiest transit corridors.

"Vehicles have lined up from both sides of the outpost. People think we are stopping them without any reason. We have got no order from DC to allow any vehicle," Uppinangady police told DH.

Hassan Deputy Commissioner Rohini Sindhuri had announced on Tuesday evening that vehicles will be allowed on Shiradi Ghat from Wednesday afternoon.

Police said several cars lined up from 10 am at both check-posts. While the Maranahalli check-post allowed some vehicles to enter the Ghat, they were stopped at Gundya outpost as the police cited the magistrate order barring traffic on the ghat.

"There was a lot of shouting. The commuters cited media reports about opening of the ghat. Some threatened to call politicians and higher-ups in police. But the personnel at check-post were only doing their duty. Finally, some cars were allowed to exit the ghat. But none of the cars from Mangaluru side were allowed to enter," the source said.

Meanwhile, sources said the Hassan Deputy Commissioner and two assistant commissioners from Hassan and Dakshina Kannada district will survey the damage to road on ghat section on Wednesday. "The officials want to see for themselves how far it is safe to allow vehicles," the source added.

The on-going Monsoon rains have disrupted travel along this route by causing several landslides.

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