Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (MS)
Madikeri, Jul 6: A huge crack is observed on NH 275 connecting Mangaluru with Madikeri near Katakeri. This occurred on Thursday, July 4.
A few days ago there was small split in the road at the same spot. However, on Thursday, it developed into a huge one as the surrounding soil caved in.
The highway was badly damaged last year due to the torrential rains. As a stop gap arrangement, sand bags were kept on the affected area to prevent further damage and collapsing of soil.
In the month of June, DC had imposed a ban on the movement of goods vehicles on the road till August 8. Hence, only light vehicles are allowed to use the road at present. But the ban is not applicable to school and college buses, LPG transportation tankers, fuel tankers and milk container vehicles. However, if the situation worsens, even these exempted vehicles will be stopped from using the road.
Deputy commissioner Annies Kanmani, zilla panchayat president B A Harish, MLAs K G Bopaiah and Appachu Ranjan along with the concerned officials visited the site of damage on the morning of Friday.
Movement of vehicles is restricted to only one side of the road in the affected stretch of the road. As a precautionary measure barricades are kept near the junction at Katakeri. The administration and the MLAs have asked the concerned engineers of the department to monitor the road and ensure safety.
MLA Appachu Ranjan has cited that the unscientific work is the reason for this crack and caving in of the soil.
People travelling to Mangaluru will face an uphill task if the highway caves in further. The routes of Mysuru-Kushalnagar-Somwarpet-Sakleshpur or Mysuru-Hunasur-Gonikoppa-Virajpet-Kerala-Sullia will not be accessible if the highway collapses further.
Crack reminds of last year's landslips
The cracks on the highway has forced people to recall last year's deluge that gave rise to huge landslides, cracks in the roads, and severance of road link that created lot of problems for the people of Kodagu.
During the heavy rains last year, the road had collapsed near Madenadu. This time, crack has appeared in the road at Katakeri, six km away from the town. Many attribute this phenomenon to substandard road works because the cracked road last year was thoroughly repaired and reconstructed by National Highways Authority later. Compared to last year, the rainfall here has been far less this year. Some also blame movement of heavy vehicles on the road that had collapsed last year and hence lost its core capacity.
Some malnad regions and plains of Karnataka received good rainfall on Friday. The rainfall was particularly good in Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga and Kodagu districts. Water level in rivulets and rivers is increasing. The meteorological department has predicted heavy rainfall in coastal region for the next four days. It has warned fishermen against venturing into the sea. As wind with a velocity of 40 to 50 km per hour is blowing from southwest and western directions across the sea, it has asked fishermen to desist from undertaking any activity in the sea.