Traffic ban continue in Munnar after another landslip on Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway

The landslip hit area at Karadippara, near Moonammile, on the Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway in Munnar.

DistrictCollector Dineshan Cheruvatt has extended the ban on vehicular traffic on the Adimaly–Munnar stretch of the Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway for another two weeks on Saturday following another major landslip at Karadippara, near Moonammile, in the Munnar hill station.

Officials said traffic was suspended on the route last Monday after a landslip occurred during highway-widening work. National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials subsequently began clearing rock and debris, expecting to complete the work within a week. However, during the clearing operations, a huge quantity of rock and debris fell onto the highway on Friday evening, damaging the retaining wall on the lower stretch of the road. Following the incident, the district administration decided to extend the complete traffic ban for another two weeks.

A senior Revenue department official said loose rock and soil were continuingto slide down during the clearing operations. “When rockfalls occur, large masses of rock and trees are left perched at the top without any grip. The debris continues to fall onto the road during the work. Without fully removing the debris, we cannot resume traffic on the highway. In addition, the retaining wall must be rebuilt. The NHAI has been directed to speed up the work. We expect to complete the work within two weeks,” the official said.

Meanwhile, sources noted that clearing the debris and rebuilding the protection wall after the second landslip remains a major challenge that could take longer than anticipated.

Last week, following the initial landslip, traffic on the highway was diverted along alternative routes. Motorists travelling from Adimaly to Munnar was asked to divert at Iruttukanam and proceed via Anachal and Randammile to reach Munnar. Those heading from Munnar to Adimaly were asked to take the reverse Randammile–Anachal–Iruttukanam route. Travellers headed toward Mankulam were asked to divert at Iruttukanam to reach Kallar Junction before turning onto the Mankulam road.

According to officials, motorists must continue using these alternative routes while the full ban remains in place. “Without imposing a complete traffic ban, the authorities cannot safely continue the debris removal and road-strengthening work,” the official added.