G Udayagiri: Persistent rainfall triggered by back-to-back formation of low-pressure areas has led to repeated landslides stalling the reconstruction of the Kalinga Ghat road for the past 13 days.
Large boulders continue to tumble from the hilltop whenever rainfall intensifies, forcing authorities to suspend work in view of the safety of labourers, said Prashant Kumar Sahu, assistant engineer of the National Highways division. Work will resume only after the water flow recedes, he added.
A massive rock slid down the slope Saturday and got stuck midway, leading to another halt in repair works. A team from Rajasthan, which is expected to clear the rocks, had yet to arrive as of Sunday, delaying removal. Authorities said concrete layering will be done on priority to restore vehicular movement as soon as possible.
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With the Kalinga Ghat route closed, commuters are facing severe inconvenience. Buses from Baliguda to Bhubaneswar are being diverted via Phulbani, while those from Baliguda to Berhampur are being rerouted through Daringbadi and Sorada, reducing direct services from G Udayagiri and Raikia.
Passengers have been forced to take longer routes at higher fares. Prices of vegetables and essentials have also surged due to transport disruption and the Dussehra market has taken a hit, traders said.
Residents have urged the government to expedite repairs. Meanwhile, local intelligentsia has warned that reopening the road before clearing the boulders could endanger commuters’ lives.
PNN