Despite political pressure, media highlights and activist threats, no action had been taken to fix it. One letter to the Lokayukta changed the state of things.
The much-touted Shirady Ghat stretch, that was in a poor condition for the past three years, has now gone through a complete makeover. Thanks to lok ayukta Justice N Santosh Hegde, who took prompt action and brought the entire government machinery to the spot to fix the stretch.
Despite several people’s movements, political pressures, media highlights and activist threats, no action had been taken to fix the stretch. However, one letter to the Lokayukta changed the state of things. Now, the rugged road has transformed into a super-smooth highway stretch, without a toll plaza.
In January, a senior journalist, BV Seetharam, had filed a public interest litigation in Karnataka lok ayukta against the principal secretary, department of PWD, and minister of PWD alleging the dereliction of duty regarding the unmotorable condition of Shirady Ghat Road, which is an important link between Bangalore and Mangalore.
The stretch was immediately taken up for a total makeover and it had come back into a motorable condition in less than five days.
The National Highway, Mangalore section (covering Hassan too), was specially directed to ‘paver finish’ the road for smoother drive.
Thanking the Lokayukta for the prompt action, Seetharam said, “I tried to create a public opinion in almost all forums available, including writing editorials in local newspapers. However, nothing mattered to the thick-skinned bureaucracy. In a state of desperation, I petitioned to the Lokayukta and it worked wonderfully. This was due to the public spirit shown by justice Hegde that made the bureaucracy take up the road work on priority basis.”
Sakleshpur-based Rashtriya Heddari Ulisi Association said if the name of Lokayukta had rattled the bureaucracy who jumped into action to take up the road repair works, it is probably because the bureaucracy has many skeletons in their cupboards.
“We are sure that Justice Hegde will look into it and expose all corruption in highway maintenance,” said an activist.
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