On August 12, multiple landslides at Madenadu along the stretch had affected the road connectivity between Madikeri and Mangaluru. With temporary repair of the affected stretch, light vehicles including cars and two-wheelers have been given access to pass through the temporary road.

A few more days are required to further repair the stretch following which access may be granted for buses to operate along the stretch.

The work on the stretch is in progress and all efforts were being made to facilitate the movement of heavy vehicles at the earliest, informed Nagaraj, assistant executive engineer, NHAI (National Highway Authority of India), Mangaluru division.

Torrential rains and landslides on multiple locations had taken a toll on nearly 7 km of the stretch. A new road is being laid wherever the stretch has sustained heavy damage. The damaged road has been repaired using concrete mix. As many as 50 workers, along with technical experts, are working to repair the stretch, he added.

From August 23rd, post closure of the road, KSRTC started operating mini buses to Madikeri via Sullia-Kallapalli-Panathooru-Karike-Bhagamandala. With the opening of the Sampaje Ghat road for light vehicles, the density of vehicles on Sullia-Karike-Bhagamandala road is expected to be reduced.