Ernakulam Munnar Road NH 49 Back To Normal Life

7 August 2013
Kochi

A day after landslips at 17 places on the stretch, traffic is limping back to normal along the 130-km Ernakulam-Munnar route.

This is part of the Ernakulam-Dhanushkodi NH 49. Most tourists and others trapped in Munnar town could leave the place as private vehicles were allowed along the stretch on Tuesday. “Most of the earth, rocks and debris of trees that uprooted and fell into the road were removed by 4 am on Tuesday,” said T. I. Jose, Superintending Engineer of PWD (NH wing).

The KSRTC is yet to resume operations on the route and buses from Ernakulam are operating only up to Kothamangalam. Night traffic has been restricted because of thick fog and fear of land slips at vulnerable stretches. The highway jagrata samity is proactively responding to emergency situations.

Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force and Navy have retrieved most of the vehicles that are trapped beneath the debris.The Revenue department is engaged in rescue and relief efforts. The worst affected by Monday’s landslides was either side of Cheeyapara waterfalls, from where five people were reported dead. Their bodies have been recovered.

We will build protection walls at more places where the earth is loose, said Ms. Shyamala. Fearing further landslides, many motorists are taking alternative routes through Painavu and Kumily. Mr Jose said the PWD will take steps to ensure a pothole-free ride along the Ernakulam-Munnar Road by December.

Source-http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/traffic-limps-back-to-normal-along-ernakulammunnar-road-on-nh-49/article4996520.ece

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