Landslides in Koraput hit rail, road link

Rail and road connectivity to Koraput district has been badly affected due to frequent landslides resulting from incessant rains for the last two weeks.

JEYPORE: Rail and road connectivity to Koraput district has been badly affected due to frequent landslides resulting from incessant rains for the last two weeks.

The railway line linking Koraput with Rayagada has become a dangerous route due to frequent landslides at Laxmipur, Valumaska and Kasipur. Train services on this route remain suspended or stopped till the debris on the tracks are cleared. This apart, the mud and boulders, which slide down the nearby hills, pose a grave risk to the passengers. As many as 20 goods and passenger trains ply on the route to reach Vizianagaram, Raipur and Bhubaneswar railway stations.

Besides, there have been reports of huge stones falling off near Maliguda railway station under Kirondole-Visakhapatanam route. Railway workers clearing the debris from tracks to facilitate smooth movement of trains has become a regular affair on this route.

This apart, the roads linking Koraput to neighbouring States and district have also become dangerous for commuters with stones and trees often sliding down the hills adjacent to Peta and Deo Ghats near Jeypore, Govindapali Ghat near Boipariguda, DD Ghat near Laxmipur and Sunki Ghat near Pottangi due to heavy rains.

Bus services to Malkangiri, Visakhapatanam and Rayagada have been badly hit as transporters and bus operators are reluctant to ply on these routes anticipating accidents.

The delay in removal of the debris from roads by the district and NHAI administration is making matters worse both for bus operators and passengers.

As per reports, transporters from outside the district are also unwilling to provide services to Koraput due to frequent landslides on the routes.

Sources in the district administration admitted that roads in different ghat areas have been damaged by rains. The damaged roads will be repaired with funds from the exchequer after proper survey, they added.
As per reports, the damage to ghat roads due to landslides has been estimated at over `50 crore.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com