Heavy vehicles on Sampaje-Madikeri-Suntikoppa route has been banned from Tuesday following the road developing cracks at two places in the wake of heavy motor traffic on this route following the closure of the Shiradi Ghat section for repairs.
Cracks have developed at Koynadu near Sampaje and near Cinkona Estate near Madikeri.
Kodagu deputy commissioner has banned the movement of heavy vehicles on the Mysore-Bantwal stretch.
The closure of the Shiradi Ghat section on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway 75 for about six months from January 2 to facilitate ugradation of the 47 km stretch has led to heavy traffic on the Sampaje-Madikeri stretch. The ban will be in force till the repairs are complete at these two points.
This is not the first time Koynadu and Cinkona stretch on this NH developed problems. The road near Koynadu on the Sampaje-Madikeri NH had cleaved in August 2013 (in picture) forcing Karnataka Road Development Corporation (KRDCL) officials to make an alternate motorable stretch.
The road had sunk almost about two to three metres due to high water table, percolation of water and subsequent saturation. But almost 16 months down the line, the work is still under progress.
The reason for the collapse is said to be unscientific work initiated by the KRDCL engineers as a part of road widening process from Mani-Mysore. Without understanding the ground water table, the road work was initiated, resulting in caving in of the road.
Meanwhile, reports said the KSRTC has diverted about 176 buses, including its premium services like Volvo and multi-axel buses, via Charmadi and Sampaje Ghats.
