Sudam babu state bureau odisha

Hit and hot news

Bhubaneswar, September 27, 2026:
Following heavy rainfall and landslides along the Kalinga Ghat section of National Highway-157 in Kandhamal district, Odisha Construction Department Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh conducted an on-site inspection on Sunday to assess the extent of the damage and review the measures being taken to protect motorists and restore safe traffic movement.

The inspection focused on two locations where landslides had affected the highway. During his visit, Singh examined the condition of the hill slopes and road stretches and held discussions with officials responsible for highway management and district administration. He directed the authorities to treat road-user safety as the immediate priority and complete all essential emergency measures without delay.

The Kalinga Ghat region, known for its steep terrain and winding roads, can become particularly vulnerable to slope instability during periods of intense rainfall. The latest incidents have therefore prompted authorities to adopt a cautious approach before allowing normal vehicular movement through the affected stretches.

Officials Asked to Remove Loose Material from Slopes

During the inspection, Principal Secretary Sanjay Kumar Singh instructed the concerned engineering teams to remove loose rocks, unstable soil and other potentially dangerous material from the affected hill slopes.

Such material can pose an additional risk to vehicles and passengers if it becomes dislodged during continued rainfall or vibration caused by traffic. Officials were therefore asked to undertake necessary slope-safety operations on an urgent basis.

Singh also made it clear that vehicles should not be permitted to pass through vulnerable portions of the road until adequate safety arrangements have been completed. The direction is aimed at preventing accidents and protecting road users while emergency works are underway.

The administration and highway authorities have been asked to closely monitor the affected areas and ensure that traffic restrictions remain in place wherever conditions are considered unsafe.

Controlled Single-Lane Traffic Planned at One Location

At the second landslide-affected site, authorities are preparing immediate measures to enable controlled movement of vehicles once the necessary safety requirements have been fulfilled.

According to the plan reviewed during the inspection, traffic will initially be regulated through a single lane. To facilitate this arrangement, tapering will be provided over approximately 400 metres on both sides of the affected stretch.

The taper arrangements are intended to guide vehicles safely toward the controlled section and reduce the possibility of sudden traffic conflicts near the landslide zone. However, officials have been instructed not to open the stretch to vehicles until the required safety arrangements have been fully completed.

This approach is expected to balance two important requirements: ensuring the safety of commuters and gradually restoring road connectivity through the affected portion of Kalinga Ghat.

IIT Experts to Examine Reasons Behind Landslides

Apart from immediate safety operations, the authorities have decided to seek technical assistance to determine why the landslides occurred at the affected locations.

An expert team from an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) will undertake a detailed technical examination of the two sites. The inspection will cover the locations identified at kilometre points 86.380 and 86.675 along the highway.

The IIT team will study the physical condition of the slopes and other relevant factors associated with the landslides. Its assessment is expected to help authorities understand the underlying causes of slope failure rather than limiting the response to temporary restoration.

The experts will also suggest appropriate long-term measures for stabilising the affected stretches. Their recommendations may form the technical basis for future construction, slope protection and road restoration work.

Permanent Restoration to Follow Technical Assessment

The authorities are planning to take up permanent remedial work after receiving the findings of the IIT technical investigation.

Officials indicated that future construction and restoration activities will be planned according to the recommendations made by the expert team. This could help ensure that long-term interventions are based on a detailed assessment of the site conditions and the factors contributing to the landslides.

The decision to involve technical experts is significant because emergency road clearance and temporary traffic arrangements can address immediate concerns, while permanent solutions require a deeper understanding of slope stability and drainage and other site-specific conditions.

The final restoration strategy will therefore be prepared after the technical assessment of both affected locations.

Road Safety Given Highest Priority

During the inspection, Sanjay Kumar Singh repeatedly emphasised the need to place the safety of motorists and other road users above the immediate restoration of normal traffic.

Officials were instructed to complete emergency safety works as quickly as possible while maintaining proper safety standards. The Principal Secretary also reviewed the situation with field-level officers to ensure that necessary action is coordinated among the district administration, highway authorities and engineering teams.

The instructions come at a time when continuing rainfall can create additional challenges in hilly areas. Maintaining constant vigilance around unstable slopes will therefore remain important until the affected sections are secured.

Senior Officials Present During Inspection

Several senior officials accompanied the Principal Secretary during his visit to Kalinga Ghat. Kandhamal Collector Vedabhushan was present along with the Additional District Magistrate of Bhanjanagar.

Representatives of the National Highway engineering administration also participated in the inspection. These included the Chief Engineer-I of National Highways, the Chief Engineer of the Southern Circle, Berhampur, and the Superintending Engineer of the Phulbani National Highway Division.

Other senior officials associated with the district administration and highway management were also present and briefed the Principal Secretary about the situation on the ground.

Focus on Safe Restoration of Connectivity

The inspection has underlined the administration’s approach of combining immediate emergency response with a longer-term technical solution.

For the time being, the priority remains securing the affected slopes, removing hazardous loose material and preventing vehicles from entering unsafe sections. Once the required protective measures are completed, controlled single-lane movement may be introduced at the designated location.

At the same time, the proposed IIT investigation is expected to provide technical inputs for permanent corrective measures. The findings will help authorities determine the nature of the slope instability and identify appropriate measures for strengthening and restoring the highway.

With Kalinga Ghat serving as an important road corridor through the hilly terrain of Kandhamal, ensuring the reliability and safety of NH-157 remains crucial for local residents, commercial vehicles and other travellers using the route.

The immediate instructions issued during the inspection are intended to prevent further risk to road users, while the proposed technical assessment and subsequent permanent works are aimed at creating a more durable solution for the landslide-affected stretches.

As emergency operations continue, motorists are expected to exercise caution and follow traffic restrictions and instructions issued by the authorities in the affected Kalinga Ghat area.