Mangaluru :The newly-concreted 13 km stretch of Shiradi Ghat connecting Mangaluru and Bengaluru will be opened for traffic allowing all vehicles. This was announced at a press by District incharge minister Ramanath Rai on Monday August 3.

Minister said that discussion was held with the minister for public works who decided to open the Shiradi Ghat on August 10, before which all the pending works like installation of crash barriers, signboards and shouldering works along the stretch will be completed. District in charge minister, public works minister H C Mahadevappa and former union minister for surface transport Oscar Fernandes will visit the Ghat stretch on August 9.

The forest and public works department, with which discussion were held have assured to give permission,for Shishila-Byrapura road work to be carried out

Being the district in charge minister the media persons questioned, him, on the delay to arrest Gopal Gowda who allegedly cut off Dalit Sundara Malekudiya’s fingers at Neriya in Beltangady, Rai said, “The police department has to do that (arrest).”

He also denied allegations that the government was protecting the accused and said, “No one is protecting anyone.who indulge in such crimes and and commit such atrocities willfully. Proper action will be taken against the offender,” he said.

Minister had to answer also about water scarcity in the city Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, MUDA chairman Kodijal Ibrahim and others were present.