Kotagiri-Mettupalayam road under strain
Add comment November 16th, 2006
Udhagamandalam: ” Our main lifeline has temporarily snapped, hope nothing happens to the other.”
This observation by various sections of society here refers to the Coonoor-Mettupalayam national highway which was cut off by landslides occurred during the small hours of Tuesday and the Kotagiri-Mettupalayam state highway on which dependence has increased to a considerable extent.
Even as the volume of traffic on the Kotagiri-Mettupalayam road had been steadily increasing over the last few years on account of the condition of the Coonoor-Mettupalayam road which was rapidly deteriorating, the burden on the former has gone up manifold now. The sudden (albeit not totally unexpected) increase in pressure on the road has become a major source of concern to all here.
While on one hand potholes and ruts have formed at some places owing to heavy vehicles plying round-the-clock, on the other incessant rains have triggered mud and landslips at several places.
At one of the badly damaged spots below the Nilgiris district border, staff of the highways department have been stationed to warn motorists.
Pointing out that the Nilgiris was dependent on the plains for most of its essential commodities, the President, Citizens Forum of Ootacamund, S. Motilal Kataria told The Hindu on Wednesday that while repairing the Coonoor-Mettupalayam highway the authorities should simultaneously strengthen the Kotagiri-Mettupalayam road. Stating that he had recently led a delegation to Chennai to meet the State and Central government officials connected with the Mettupalayam-Conooor-Ooty- Gudalur road, he said with proper coordination it could be enhanced.
The road had reached a deplorable state because timely repairs had not been carried out. The mistake should not be repeated vis-a-vis the Kotagiri-Mettupalayam road.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ooty, S. Munusu said steps had been taken to regulate traffic on the Ooty-Kotagiri-Mettupalayam road. Patrolling would be intensified to ensure smooth flow of traffic.
Source:http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/16/stories/2006111611460100.htm
