Landslide hits Rs 25 crore road widening project in Odisha’s Kandhamal

A massive landslide triggered by heavy overnight rainfall struck a key road-widening project site near Kalinga Ghat in Odisha’s Kandhamal district, causing parts of a newly constructed hill embankment to collapse. The incident occurred late Monday night, but no casualties have been reported so far.

According to reports, a stone-reinforced retaining wall, part of an ongoing highway expansion project, gave way due to water saturation, sending debris tumbling down the slope.

Two heavy-duty JCB machines, which were stationed at the site, slipped off the road and fell downhill as the land beneath them gave way.

Rain-Hit Project Put on Hold

Authorities confirmed that work on the Rs 25 crore infrastructure project, ongoing for over two years, has now been temporarily suspended pending inspection. The road widening effort was aimed at improving the steep and accident-prone Kalinga Ghat stretch for smoother vehicular movement.

Officials said the embankment, which was constructed by binding stone blocks to reinforce the hill’s edge, could not withstand the intense downpour, leading to the overnight collapse.

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No Injuries, But Concerns Raised

Reports added that no workers were present at the exact site of the landslide when it occurred. The incident, however, has raised serious concerns over the structural stability of road construction in hilly terrains, particularly during the monsoon season, when slopes become vulnerable to erosion.

While the cause appears to be natural, district engineers are expected to conduct a technical assessment of the failed embankment. The outcome will determine revisions to the construction method and timeline for resuming work.