Mangaluru: Heavy rain triggered a landslide on Tuesday at the Kethikal hill section of the under-construction four-lane Mangaluru–Shivamogga National Highway 169. NHAI project director Abdulla Javed Azmi told TOI that the affected lane had been closed to traffic around one-and-a-half months ago and construction of a breast wall is already under way at the site.The location had witnessed a mudslide last year as well. Azmi said the latest landslide occurred along a stretch where the breast wall was yet to be completed and rectification work remained pending. The soil in the area was already loose, he said. We conducted a geotechnical investigation, analysed the area and prepared a report, and work on the breast wall was taken up based on its findings, Azmi said.After the breast wall is completed, the area will be backfilled, the hill slope stabilised and vegetation planted, he said. The work is expected to be completed before the next monsoon. Azmi said NHAI had anticipated the possibility of another mudslide and had therefore taken up work in smaller sections instead of opening the entire stretch for construction at once. The debris has been cleared, while traffic continues to move through the other lane, he said, adding that appropriate safety arrangements are being made at the site.Meanwhile, Mangaluru City North MLA Y Bharath Shetty during a media briefing on Wednesday said that he has written to the Union Minister and the officials on the issue and that will look into the matter.Landslide in Karkala talukA landslide was reported at Hedme in Renjala village of Karkala taluk on Wednesday. Following an inspection of the site, families at risk were advised to temporarily move to the relief centre opened at the Renjala Government Composite High School as a precautionary measure. With the possibility of further landslides, a team from the Geological Survey of India from Bengaluru is likely to arrive to inspect the spot on Thursday. Udupi DC Swaroopa TK visited the spot and asked local officials to maintain constant vigil and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of residents.
