Bhubaneswar: An IIT technical expert team will investigate the causes of landslides at two locations on Kalinga Ghat along NH-157, even as the Odisha government has ordered urgent restoration and road-safety measures at the affected stretches following recent heavy rainfall.
Odisha Works Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh on Sunday visited the landslide-hit locations in Kandhamal district and took stock of the ground situation. He directed officials to undertake emergency restoration works on a priority basis, with the safety of road users being accorded the highest priority.
During the inspection, Singh directed officials to immediately clear loose rocks, soft soil and other hazardous materials from vulnerable sections of the hill slopes. He also instructed that vehicular movement should not be permitted in the affected areas until all necessary safety measures are put in place.
At the second landslide site in the ghat section, authorities will take up immediate road-safety measures to facilitate regulated single-lane traffic. A taper arrangement of around 400 metres will be provided before and after the entry point of the landslide-affected stretch to enable safe movement of vehicles.
Singh directed officials to allow vehicular traffic only after completing all required safety measures and ensuring that the affected stretch is safe for regulated movement.
The IIT technical expert team will undertake detailed investigations at Km 86.380 and Km 86.675 to ascertain the causes of the landslides. The team will also recommend appropriate permanent remedial measures for the affected stretches.
The recommendations of the expert team will form the basis for further construction and road-restoration works at the sites. The Works Department has directed officials to complete the emergency measures on an urgent basis while ensuring road safety and smooth movement of traffic.
The inspection comes in the wake of heavy rainfall in the region, which triggered landslides at multiple locations along the Kalinga Ghat section.
Kandhamal Collector Vedbhushan, the Additional District Magistrate of Bhanjanagar, Chief Engineer-I (National Highways), Chief Engineer of the Southern Circle, Berhampur, and the Superintending Engineer of the Phulbani National Highway Division, among other officials, accompanied the Works Department Principal Secretary during the inspection.
