Devotees upset as traffic increases on MM Hills Rd

Mysuru: Due to the night traffic ban on Dhimbam Ghat road which passes through Sathyamangalam forests in Tamil Nadu, the density of vehicles on Male Mahadeshwara (MM) Hills Road has increased many folds.
This has affected the devotees visiting the MM Hills and the wildlife in the MM Hills Reserve Forest.
Following a petition by an environmental activist, the Madras high court had upheld the night traffic ban on vehicles barring those that belong to the tribals, forest dwellers, local villagers and agriculturalists imposed on Dhimbam Ghat Road which was part of a national highway that passes through Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and connects Tamil Nadu with Karnataka.
Earlier, there was no such movement of vehicles on the MM Hills interstate highway stretch that connects the two states, but density of vehicles increased after night traffic ban on Dhimbam Ghat road which is not only causing noise pollution, but is also disturbing wild animals and causing inconvenience to MM Hills devotees. “It could lead to landslide like incidents,” said Chiranjeevi, a resident of MM Hills.
Road accidents too have increased on the stretch, according to the local police. A portion of the building of Cauvery Drinking Water Supply Pumping Station, which is located along the stretch, was also damaged when the trucks collided with the compound wall and building of the pumping station, said sources.
Speaking to TOI, deputy conservator of forests (DCF) V Edukondalu said the forest department has received complaints of increase in movement of vehicles along the MM Hills Road from the last three months.
As the movement of heavy trucks disturbs the wild animals, he said he would bring to the notice of higher officials of his department to take corrective measures like to step up patrolling, strengthen anti-poaching camps and to upgrade check posts to prevent vehicle movement, he said.