Danger of landslides persists on BC Road-Punjalkatte route

Bantwal: The development of the 19.85 km of highway between BC Road and Punjalkatte is ongoing. After the acquisition of land here for the works about 50 feet high hills for the were built since one stretch of the highway is on a hilly area.

Repeatedly, incidents of landslides and deaths during the rainy season is reported here every year. The residual parts of the excavated hill for the highway have become a danger. Large trees on top of the hill also pose a risk.

Thousands of vehicles, including buses heading to Dharmasthala travel day and night on the highway with the risk landslides occurring as the vehicles pass.

Rs 159 crores were earmarked for the highway development work, of which about Rs 100 crores was allocated for the works and the rest was for land acquisition, clearance of trees and electric poles. Currently, one stage of the land acquisition process is complete.

The dangerous residual hill areas adjacent to the highways are private land and needs to be acquired and cleared. For this more grants are required and the highways department is currently requesting additional grants.

Landslides have already occurred from hillocks near Navuru village partially blocks the road. In some other areas, hills have developed cracks. Barricades have been placed in these areas to prevent any danger to vehicles.

The electric poles already put up on the sides of the road are at the base of the hills. If a landslide occurs these poles will be destroyed resulting in loses of millions of rupees.

Mangaluru highways subdivision’s Assistant Executive Engineer Ramesh said: “We have noticed the dangerous hills on the highway near Punjalkatte and it will soon be cleared. The land already acquired has fallen short and a proposal for further acquisition has been sent.”