Madikeri:  The damage on the Mani-Mysore State Highway caused due to heavy rains , has left the commuters with no option,Two-wheelers and cars are using an alternative narrow service road between Koinad and Devarakolli .

A 50-meter stretch on the State Highway that was laid three years ago developed cracks and caved in by about two feet near Koinad. This brought to halt the movement of vehicles from Mangalore to Mysore via Sullia. Only pedestrians can use the part of the road, said Deputy Superintendent of Police, Madikeri, Raju G. Mong.

“Kodagu Deputy Commissioner N.V. Prasad said two-wheeler users and cars were running on an old service road that passes through some private properties. “Motorists have started using it. We have not permitted it,” Mr. Prasad said.

Meanwhile, the Puttur division of KSRTC has continued to operate the 48 services to Madikeri. The buses will continue to take commuters till Koinad. The passengers will walk across the 50 metres of the damaged road and catch another bus to Madikeri at Devarakolli. “We will continue with this service,” said Divisional Traffic Officer H. Ramanagowda.

A team of experts from the Karnataka Road Development Corporation will be visiting the damaged road portion on Thursday. According to a senior official, restoration work will be done as per the suggestions made by the expert group.

Mr. Ramanagowda said work was on to open up an old mud road that passes through the forest adjoining the State Highway. This will aid movement of the two-wheelers and cars, he said.