Daringbadi: Vehicle movement along the Kalinga Ghat, a vital road link between Kandhamal and Ganjam districts, resumed Saturday after a 45-day closure triggered by fear of landslides.
Traffic had remained suspended since September 24 as a precautionary measure amid concerns over possible landslides. Following an order issued by Kandhamal Collector Vedbhushan Friday, vehicular movement was restored from Saturday, bringing relief to commuters and local residents.
However, concerns remain over road safety as the dam’s aged guard wall at the landslide-prone stretch is yet to be repaired. During Cyclone Arnab earlier this year, a massive boulder rolled down the hillside and crashed into the guard wall, damaging sections on both sides.
Despite 45 days having passed since the incident, reconstruction work has not yet been undertaken. The reopening is expected to restore smoother connectivity between Kandhamal and Ganjam districts, reducing travel time and expenses for commuters.
Meanwhile, local residents have urged the administration to rebuild the damaged guard wall without further delay and regularly inspect vulnerable stretches of the ghat road to prevent possible mishaps. Four-wheeler traffic resumes on Daringbadi-Gajalbadi route. Vehicular traffic between Daringbadi in Kandhamal district and Gajalbadi in Sora da block of Ganjam district has returned to normal, with four-wheelers allowed on the route from Friday afternoon, sources said.
The decision was taken following directions from the Kandhamal Collector Vedbhu shan, a divisional engineer of the National Highways Department’s Sorada office said. Cyclone Arnab had triggered a massive landslide on the Ga jalbadi ghat.
Heavy water flow in the Adangi River on the foothills also washed away the Bhutapankal bridge and about 360 metres of its approach road, disrupting connectivity from October 29. As a result, traffic between Daringbadi and Brahmapur and Bhanjanagar via Gajalbadi was suspended.
Repairs were carried out on a war footing. Initially, only two-wheelers were allowed to use the restored stretch. Four-wheelers have now been permitted, while restrictions on heavy vehicles remain in force.