Kalinga Ghati landslide: Restoration work on, commuters still face road blockade

A massive landslide in Kalinga Ghati, which struck a couple of days ago, has disrupted traffic and left communication between Kandhamal and Ganjam districts at a complete standstill. The incident has triggered major inconvenience for travellers, with road-clearing operations initiated soon after the mishap. 

Large boulders had tumbled down onto the stretch, blocking movement and cutting off vital connectivity. Although the NHAI personnel managed to remove the massive stone blocks from the road, the problem remains far from solved.

Major Challenge for Administration

The landslide not only blocked the road but also washed away portions of the stretch running along the mountain slope. This has created a serious challenge for the administration, which is now faced with the task of rebuilding the damaged road. 

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Officials admitted that restoring the washed-away part would not be an easy task, as the alignment is precariously perched along the hillside.

Engineers Carrying Out Assessments

Senior engineers of the concerned department have already reached the site and are carrying out detailed assessments. Their focus is on devising a strategy to rebuild the damaged portion on a war footing so that traffic movement between the two districts can be restored as early as possible.

Local Residents Anxious Over Uncertainty

Meanwhile, people in both Kandhamal and Ganjam districts remain worried. The uncertainty over when normal traffic movement will resume has left them waiting anxiously. 

For residents, traders, and commuters, the restoration of Kalinga Ghati remains critical to daily life, and many are hopeful that the authorities will expedite the process.

Kandhamal MP Assures Restoration

Kandhamal MP Sukanta Panigrahi said, "Temporary renovation should be done on priority basis to restore vehicular movement. The restoration is being done by the RO & Chief Engineer of Sambalpur. After discussions with CM Mohan Majhi, following his directive, I will plan a long-term solution to this problem. I will present a DPR to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and get the required funds through the Odisha CM to reconstruct it."