Mangaluru: The district administration will decide about complete or partial closure of Shiradi Ghat during its Phase 2 reconstruction after a personal visit by the Deputy Commissioner and Public Works Department engineers, said district in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai on Wednesday.

National Highways division of the PWD is expected to commence the reconstruction work from January 1. Presiding over a review meeting here, Mr. Rai said the Deputy commissioner, along with the engineers, will inspect the entire 13-km stretch set for concreting between Addahole and Kempu Hole Guest House. Later, the administration will decide whether the stretch has to be completely closed or remain open for light motor vehicles.

The Minister said the National Highways division of the Public Works Department has to commence reconstruction work at the earliest as the work is already delayed for long. It also has to examine the condition of alternative routes proposed for movement of heavy vehicles during the closure. Shakuntala Shetty, MLA for Puttur, said there was no need to close the entire 13-km stretch at once.

Traffic should be allowed between Kempuhole and Gundya and Gundya to Addahole in phases to allow vehicular movement via Kaikamba-Kadaba- Uppinangadi.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner S. Sasikanth Senthil said that the administration would allot two exclusive sand blocks in non-CRZ area to PWD for the reconstruction work. PWD’s Executive Engineer M.O. Ramesh said work order for the reconstruction estimated to cost ₹61.57 crore has already been issued. Quality work would be ensured, he added.