Mangaluru : The Shiradi Ghat stretch of National Highway 75, which was strengthened at a cost of Rs. 69.9 crore, was opened for vehicles on Sunday. All vehicles including buses can take the Shiradi Ghat stretch from Monday onwards. The stretch was closed for vehicles since January 2015 for repair and renovation.

Public Works Minister H.C. Mahadevappa declared the road open during his visit on Sunday to inspect the road work and study a presentation on the proposed tunnel by-pass road project.

Mr. Mahadevappa said the former Union Minister for Surface Transport Oscar Fernandes, who was also present, played a prominent role as a Union Minister in getting the work sanctioned. “Oscar Fernandes was aware of the problems faced by those who travel on the Shiradi Ghat stretch frequently. He himself had suffered whenever he took this road. He sanctioned the project when he was the Minister,” he said, adding that the current minister Nitin Gadkari was also extending similar support to the project proposals from the State.

Mr. Fernandes said that when he took over the Ministry, the total length of National Highways in Karnataka was less than the national average. “Now the national highway coverage in Karnataka is more than the national average,” he said.

He said people travelling on the road face problems such as roadblock due to land slides during heavy rainfall. Train services would also be stopped whenever land fell on tracks.

“A permanent solution to the problem will be the tunnel road project, which costs around Rs. 10,000 crore. No matter whatever the amount, it should be done; otherwise the project cost would escalate with time,” he said. Better infrastructure for travellers on the Shiradi Ghat stretch would improve connectivity between the port cities of Mangaluru and Chennai via Bengaluru, he said.

Forests Minister B. Ramanath Rai, Congress MLA Shankunthala Shetty and other Congress leaders were present.