Major hill collapse along under-construction NH-66
However, a major tragedy was averted due to low traffic at the time.
Sindhu, a teacher at SN Teacher Training Institute, Padannakkad, was traveling in her car on the highway. On seeing the landslide on her left side, she drove her car as far to the right as possible to escape from the flowing soil. But her vehicle's front portion was totally covered by mud and debris, trapping her inside. However, locals immediately pulled her out of the car.
According to locals, a bike rider was just in front of the car at the time of the mishap. Fortunately, he too had a narrow escape.
The concrete wall constructed on the side of NH to prevent mud falling from the hillock was totally damaged in the incident.
Traffic movement was completely disrupted as tonnes of soil and debris tumbled onto the road. Fire and rescue personnel, along with locals, launched an operation to clear the road.
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Vehicular movement was diverted through Madakkara-Kottappuram-Nileswaram route.
Meanwhile, district collector K Imbasekar and M Rajagopal, MLA, visited the spot. Collector instructed the district disaster management authority to take immediate action.
The area had witnessed a similar incident recently. At that time, a man engaged in road work was seriously injured. A drone inspection held in presence of the district collector had confirmed the possibility of landslide at the site.
The team also found that unscientific excavation was the reason for the back-to-back landslips.
NHAI had debarred the concessionaire Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd from participating in future bids after the collapse of slope protection works in Chengala-Neeleshwaram section of NH-66 at Cherkala in Kasaragod on June 16. NHAI found that improper design, inadequate slope protection works and poor drainage system caused the incident.
"The concessionaire has been debarred from participating in future bids due to their failure to execute adequate slope protection works and make proper drainage systems to mitigate such risks," NHAI had said in a release. A show-cause notice was issued to the concessionaire for debarment of one year, including imposing a fine of upto Rs 9 crore.
NHAI had said the NH development project was undertaken on hybrid annuity mode, where the concessionaire has to maintain the section for 15 years and would reconstruct the slope protection at their own cost.
Traffic restriction
Following the landslide, the collector imposed a restriction on traffic movement on the stretch until NHAI submits a report regarding the site's safety. Vehicles moving towards Cheruvathoor and Payyannur from Kanhangad should divert to Kottappuram-Madakkara route from the NH at Nileshwaram. Vehicles proceeding towards Kanhangad and Nileshwaram from Payyanur should move on Kothayimukku-Chemeni-Kayyur-Chayyoth route.
No vehicle would be allowed to pass on NH via Cheruvathoor after 10pm on July 23. The restriction will continue until further orders, said the collector.
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