Temporary restoration of Sampaje Ghat Road is complete

The National Highway (NH) division of Public Works Department (PWD) has completed the temporary restoration work on a 14-km stretch of Sampaje Ghat Road on NH 275.

Following heavy rain in August, Landslides on multiple locations had caused extensive damage to the road.

As a result, the national highway connecting the coastal district and Kodagu, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya and Bengaluru was closed for nearly three months. As the stretch had developed cracks in the month of July, the authorities had banned the movement of heavy vehicles.

The landslides in the second week of August had taken a toll on the highway from Jodupala to Madikeri. Portions of the roads were washed away at Monnangeri, Madenadu, Hattihole and other areas. The district had banned the movement of vehicles on the stretch. To help the residents, the KSRTC had been allowed to run minibuses from Koinadu to Madikeri.

According to a source in the NH division of the PWD, “The road has been restored at a cost of Rs 10 crore. A report recommending to allow vehicles on the stretch had been submitted to Kodagu deputy commissioner.”

“Several sandbags have been used for constructing retaining walls at the places where massive landslides had occurred on the stretch. Temporary bridges and culverts have been constructed at the places where it was washed away. The road has been asphalted,” the source added.

On withdrawal of notification to allow heavy vehicles on Sampaje Ghat, Kodagu DC P I Sreevidya said, “Officials had informed me during final stages of temporary restoration of roadworks. I had directed them to install signboards throughout the stretch and submit a report. Once I get the report from the officials on allowing heavy vehicles on the stretch, measures will be taken to lift the ban on movement of vehicles.”

The motorists need to be cautious while driving on a few stretches where massive landslides had occurred. Precautionary signboards are essential on the stretch to warn the motorists to be careful, she said.

The NH division of the PWD is making arrangements to submit a proposal for relaying 14-km long new road along with a report submitted by the experts to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highway to seek funds.

A team, led by IISc Soil Engineering Department retired professor B R Srinivasmurthy, had conducted a study on preventing landslides along the highway. IISc geotechnical engineering department Prof G L Shivakumar Babu too has conducted another study.

PWD NH Division’s Superintending Engineer Raghavan said, “The NH had prepared an estimate of Rs 500 crore for relaying the road Now, the proposal with a report from experts committee will be submitted to the Centre. The estimate amount will be decided after we receive report from the experts.”