Modern tech to give makeover to Makutta Road

Modern technology will be used to repair the Konanuru-Makutta Inter-State Highway which caved in following heavy rains in June.

The Public Works Department will make use of Gabion meshes to provide an effective makeover for the retaining walls on the road, said senior officials from the department.

The road which developed huge cracks during the landslides was temporarily repaired by placing sandbags. The movement of heavy vehicles was prohibited so as to prevent further damage to the protective wall. But, the protective wall is now under the verge of collapse as the sandbags have been destroyed.

After consulting experts, the PWD has come up with a proposal to provide a permanent makeover to the road.

The retaining walls will be constructed using stones instead of concrete and Gabion mesh will be placed on the wall to prevent the stones from slipping, said PWD Assistant Executive Engineer Moovera Suresh.

Gabion mesh is an iron mesh with rubber covering it. The rubber coat prevents oxidation and protects the iron mesh from rust, ensuring durability.

Currently, Gabion meshes are available only in Gujarat in India and a sufficient number of meshes have been procured by the department and have been brought to Virajpet.

A similar technique has been incorporated in the construction of retaining walls on Kootupole Road in Kerala, which shares its border with Kodagu district.

Kootupole Road is being upgraded with the opening of an international airport in Mattanur in Kerala.

Meanwhile, people have alleged that heavy vehicles still ply on the Konanuru-Makutta inter-state highway despite the ban.

Goods vehicles have been moving on the road, putting the safety of the protective wall at risk. This has caused further damage to the road, they said and urged the district administration to look into the issue.