Kalinga Ghat section to remain closed till Sept 30

Berhampur: Traffic will remain suspended on Kalinga Ghat section of NH 157 in Kandhamal district due to heavy rain forecast, an official said on Tuesday. Traffic in the section has been suspended since September 16 due to massive landslides.

"As there is a forecast of more rain in the area and the situation is very precarious due to repeated landslides, we have decided to keep the section closed for traffic till September 30," said Kandhamal District Collector Ved Bhushan, after assessing the situation on the ground.

The highway is vital for communication between Ganjam and Kandhamal districts. "Due to heavy rains on Monday, fresh landslides occurred in the area. At least 40 big stones are hanging from the hill beside the highway. There is a life risk to work in this situation as the rain has been incessant," said NHAI's Chief Construction Engineer Bankim Chandra Panda. "The repair works will resume after the rains," he added.

"Even though we deployed heavy equipment for repair to restore traffic movement temporarily, work can't progress now," he said, adding the fresh landslide was a setback for the restoration.

As Kalinga Ghat has been closed, passenger buses from Berhampur were going through Daringbadi road to reach Phulbani, while several others were travelling via Dasapalla in Nayagarh district, which take more time, officials said.