Landslide risk: protective netting to be installed on Thamarassery Ghat Road

With landslide threat posing risk to traffic, authorities have decided to install high-tensile protective netting on the hillside near the viewpoint above the ninth hairpin bend on the Thamarassery Ghat Road, a vital link between Kozhikode and Wayanad districts.

The place witnessed a landslip on August 26 last year, which completely blocked the ghat stretch and brought vehicular movement to a standstill for two days. The decision to install protective netting was taken at a recent meeting chaired by Kozhikode Collector Snehel Kumar Singh.

Dilip Buildcon, the firm executing the tunnel road project, has been entrusted with the work.

At the meeting, it was also decided to strictly enforce traffic regulations, including a complete ban on multi-axle and other heavy vehicles, to ease congestion on the ghat road until all renovation works are completed.

Road widening

Earlier, to facilitate timber removal and road widening under a ₹37-crore project, authorities imposed traffic restrictions on the ghat road from January 5. As part of the road-widening works, more than 400 trees were felled at the sixth, seventh and eighth hairpin bends along the stretch. Though multi-axle and other heavy vehicles were directed to take the Nadukani or Kuttiyadi Ghat routes to ensure safety and the smooth execution of maintenance works, violations of the ban were reported. Some vehicles broke down on the stretch, resulting in severe traffic bottlenecks that affected emergency services and passengers.

Rapid response system

Officials said that the police had been instructed to strictly enforce the curbs at the entry points of the ghat road. The administration is also setting up a rapid response system to address breakdowns and accidents along the stretch. The Thamarassery tahsildar has been authorised to coordinate dedicated crane services, which will be stationed near the ninth hairpin bend for immediate deployment.

As most traffic congestion and accidents occur at three narrow points, widening the hairpin bends is expected to significantly ease traffic flow on the ghat section. The project includes widening the carriageway, constructing footpaths, and installing handrails. Once completed, the road width will increase from 14.55 m to 17.3 m at the approaches to the curves and from 26.5 m to 38.15 m at the middle of the bends.