S’pet-Madikeri Road to be opened for light vehicles

Somwarpet-Madapura-Hattihole-Makkandooru-Madikeri Road, which was closed to traffic due to landslides at multiple locations in August, will be reopened for light motor vehicles soon.

The officials, with the help of earth movers and over 100 labourers, had taken up the work on restoring the stretch on a war footing. Besides, landslides at six locations from Madapura to Haleri and a few stretches on the state highway had also washed away in flash flood.

The stretch had disappeared for 100 metres at Hattihole. Thousand loads of soil that had piled on the road due to landslides was cleared within 10 days. Due to landslides near Sincona and Balaji Estates in Haleri, the 20-metre road was reduced to a trench. Many trees uprooted on the road were cleared by forest officials a fortnight ago.

The landslides have damaged over 60 acres of coffee plantations in Sicona. Using one-and-a-half acre land of the estate, an alternative road was laid. M-sand bags have been used to strengthen the road at locations where landslides had been triggered. According to a contractor, "Sixty labourers have been engaged to restore the road. It will take 10 days to complete work."

According to engineer, the stretch will be opened for light vehicles within two days. MLA M P Appacchu Ranjan said that the restoration works are being carried out for the past 20 days. The officials have been directed to open the road for traffic as early as possible.