Mangaluru: A drive to clear debris on the national highway between Jodupala and Madikeri has commenced to restore connectivity with villages in the region.
A landslide on Friday had completely damaged villages around Jodupala and Madikeri of Kodagu district situated on both the sides of NH 275. The 14.5 km stretch of national highway has borne the brunt of the natural calamity with knee deep soil, huge logs, trees and boulders landing on the road. In about three places, the road and several feet soil beneath it have been washed away, leaving huge craters measuring several meters deep and wide. Though it would take at least a couple of months to fix the damaged national highway, removal of the debris would resort connectivity between various villages and also help people now residing in camps to return to their villages in a couple of days.
With a decrease in rainfall, the authorities first commenced clearing of debris from both sides. From Dakshina Kannada district side, officials cleared the debris on a two km stretch above Jodupala, while on Madikeri side officials have cleared debris over a ten km stretch. With this, officials have to clear only a 2.5 km stretch of the national highway.
"This 2.5 km stretch is very crucial as maximum damage has been here. We are working to clear this stretch from both sides. Our efforts are to provide at least a single path for movement of vehicles for connectivity with villages," Mr Subbarama Holla, executive engineer, NH Mangalore Division, told Deccan Chronicle.
This highway links Mangaluru to Madikeri and Mysuru. People of DK also take this route to reach Bengaluru.
