Shiradi ghat finally opens up for vehicular movement
Bengaluru: In a major relief for travelers heading to Bengaluru from Mangaluru, the Hassan district administration has allowed all vehicles to travel 24 hours without any restrictions on National Highway 75 through Shiradi Ghat, between Hassan and Mangaluru. The announcement was made by the Dr. Shruti Assistant Commissioner of the Sakleshpur subdivision.
Dr. Shruti informed reporters, "Rain has considerably reduced in the hilly regions over the last two to three days. Consequently, the rate of land subsidence has also decreased. Based on the guidance of the Deputy Commissioner, vehicles have been granted access to ply on the stretch without any restrictions."
“A significant landslide near Doddathappale has been fully cleared, and the road has been slightly widened, allowing for the smooth passage of all vehicles,” she added.
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Dr. Shruthi highlighted that over the past month, heavy rains in the hilly areas led to frequent landslides near Doddathappale, severely disrupting traffic and covering many vehicles with mud. As a precaution, vehicle movement was previously restricted due to the landslip. However, with the recent decrease in rainfall, these restrictions have been lifted.
Additionally, to ensure safety, an evacuation team has been stationed at the site. Police officials have also stated that a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) team will be present 24 hours a day to monitor the situation.
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BJP, TMC hail SC directions on counting of votes for West Bengal polls
Kolkata (PTI): The BJP and TMC on Saturday both hailed the SC directions on the Election Commission's circular over the deployment of central government personnel for vote counting in West Bengal.
The apex court on Saturday said no further order was necessary on the TMC's plea challenging the Calcutta High Court's dismissal of its petition against the April 13 circular.
In a social media post, BJP leader Amit Malviya said, "In yet another legal setback, the Supreme Court has refused to intervene. The Trinamool Congress had approached the court challenging the exclusion of state government employees from vote-counting supervisor duties, and had sought an urgent hearing."
"The refusal to entertain this plea underscores a clear message -- attempts to influence or cast doubt over the integrity of the counting process will not find easy validation. Another day, another judicial rebuff for Mamata Banerjee," he added.
The TMC, however, claimed that the SC directions vindicated its stand.
"The issue raised before the Hon'ble Supreme Court pertained to the implementation of the said communication in a manner whereby only Central Government/Central PSU employees were being appointed as Counting Supervisors and Counting Assistants for counting of votes," the party said in a statement.
The TMC said it was highlighted that such an interpretation and implementation of the communication would be contrary to the framework of a fair and balanced counting process.
"After hearing the parties, the Hon'ble Supreme Court directed that Clause 1 of the communication dated 13.04.2026, relating to the appointment of Counting Supervisors and Counting Assistants, must be read along with the salient feature contained in the second page of the said communication, which provides for random selection of both State Government and Central Government employees," it said.
"The Hon'ble Supreme Court has further recorded the undertaking of Mr Dama Seshadri Naidu, learned Senior Advocate appearing for the Election Commission of India that the said communication shall be followed in its letter and spirit," it added.
The TMC said that in view of the directions, it is expected that the counting of votes shall be conducted in a fair, transparent, and balanced manner.
A special bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Joymalya Bagchi said the EC can choose the counting personnel, and its April 13 circular, which provides for deployment of state government employees as well, cannot be said to be incorrect.
The poll body said the apprehensions of TMC of any wrongdoing are misplaced, as the circular very clearly states that there will be a mix of central and state government employees.
The EC assured the court that the circular would be implemented in letter and spirit, and there would be state government employees also during the counting of votes on May 4.
Polling for the 294-member West Bengal assembly was held in two phases -- April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes will be taken up on May 4.
On April 30, the Calcutta High Court dismissed the TMC's petition against the Election Commission circular, saying there was no illegality in the poll panel's decision to appoint counting supervisors and assistants from Central government and Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) employees, instead of the state government staff.
