Highway woes hit trade, tourism on Haveri–Sirsi stretch

Haveri: Trade and tourism between Uttara Kannada and Haveri districts have taken a hit due to the incomplete and badly deteriorated Haveri-Sirsi national highway upgrade, with traders and transporters reporting daily losses of lakhs of rupees.

The road, a key corridor linking North Karnataka with the Malnad and coastal belt, has become increasingly difficult for motorists over the past 5-6 years due to potholes and damaged stretches, affecting trade, tourism, healthcare access and rural mobility.
Travellers from North Karnataka, who once preferred the Haveri-Sirsi route for weekend trips and pilgrimages to Yellapur, Sirsi, Gokarna and Kumta, are now avoiding it due to safety concerns and long delays.

As conditions worsened, private vehicle owners began avoiding the route and opting for longer alternatives, citing safety concerns. Travellers are now using the Haveri-Sirsi route via Anavatti-Jade-Banavasi, which is time-consuming and expensive. Recently, buses run by the state transport corporation were also diverted along this route.

The poor condition of the road has hit tourism, leading to a decline in visitors to natural sites, waterfalls, religious places in Malnad, and coastal destinations. Hotels, eateries, lodges, petrol stations and small businesses have suffered losses, while roadside tea stalls, fruit vendors and small traders report a downturn.

Residents expressed anger, saying that despite paying taxes, they were not getting proper road facilities. They demanded immediate action from public representatives and officials to improve the road. The public urged the government to take urgent steps to begin repairs, saying the Haveri-Sirsi road is a lifeline connecting North Karnataka to the Malnad and coastal regions and that its development would boost trade, tourism and the rural economy.

Estimated daily losses include Rs 10-12 lakh for tourism, Rs 20-22 lakh for goods transport, Rs 18-20 lakh for vehicle maintenance, Rs 5-7 lakh for additional fuel and Rs 3-4 lakh for roadside businesses. Healthcare costs for residents and shopkeepers along the stretch are estimated at Rs 50,000, adding to overall losses of lakhs each day.

When TOI contacted NHAI officials, they were unavailable for comment.

Quote: Due to the complete deterioration of the Haveri-Sirsi road, we now travel via the Nalkur Cross-Anavatti route. This has doubled our fuel costs, and tourist numbers have dipped — Girish Bennur, private tourist vehicle owner, Haveri.