Shivamogga: Public Works Department (PWD) minister Satish Jarkiholi on Wednesday announced a major infrastructure push to resolve chronic transit bottlenecks in the eco-sensitive Malnad region. The state govt is actively evaluating both a tunnel bypass and a road-widening project for the iconic Agumbe Ghat, to sustain the rapid increase in the traffic volume between coastal regions and hinterland.Speaking to reporters in Thirthahalli, the minister stated that the govt will advance with the most viable blueprint based strictly on the impending report from a specialised technical expert team. The state has adopted a positive stance regarding the project, and will issue the mandatory NOC, once the administrative hurdles are cleared after the technical clearance, he stated.The minister pledged to personally survey the terrain and convene an extensive consultative meet involving sitting MLAs, former legislators and local community representatives to harmonise development with public utility.These long-term updates follow a high-stakes field inspection by the minister at the neighbouring Hulikal Ghat in Hosanagar taluk on Tuesday evening. The vital pass was severely hit by a tragic construction-site soil collapse in April, which caused temporary delays to necessary structural works. To address this, the department has deployed a total layout of Rs 5.3 crore — split into specialised allocations of Rs 4.3 crore and Rs 1 crore — to rapidly erect high-durability retaining walls and fortify active erosion points.
