Agumbe Ghat: Heavy vehicle movement banned from June 15

Shivamogga: Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti has ordered a ban on the movement of heavy vehicles, including trucks carrying jelly stones and goods, on National Highway 169A through Agumbe Ghat from June 15 until the end of the monsoon season. Vehicle operators have been directed to use alternative routes.

The decision comes in the wake of a landslide at Hulikal Ghat, which connects Shivamogga to Kundapura and Udupi via Hosanagara and Mastikatte. As temporary protective works at Hulikal Ghat are yet to be completed, traffic on the Thirthahalli–Malpe–Udupi stretch of NH-169A through Agumbe Ghat has increased significantly.

Authorities fear that continued movement of heavy vehicles could trigger roadside landslides, accidents and disruptions to public transportation during the rainy season. The administration noted that any interruption in connectivity to Manipal, Udupi and Mangaluru would severely affect residents of Shivamogga, Davanagere, Chitradurga and Haveri districts who depend on these routes, particularly for medical services.

Alternative routes for vehicles travelling from Thirthahalli to Udupi:

• Thirthahalli – Nagar – Nagodi – Kollur – Kundapura – Udupi
• Thirthahalli – Shringeri – Kerekatte – Bajagoli – Karkala – Udupi

Alternative routes for vehicles travelling from Udupi to Thirthahalli:

• Udupi – Kundapura – Kollur – Nagodi – Nagar – Thirthahalli
• Karkala – Bajagoli – Kerekatte – Shringeri – Thirthahalli

The district administration has urged transport operators to strictly follow the revised traffic arrangements during the monsoon period.