Road Widening on NH Linked to Recent Landslides: Study

Quick Summary

• A study conducted by an expert team, led by K.S. Sajin kumar from the University of Kerala, examined landslips near the old Government College at Devikulam in Idukki.
• The landslips on July 26 and 27, 2025, were attributed to slope cutting during road widening on the Munnar-Bodimettu stretch of the Kochi-Danushkodi National Highway.
• During one of these landslips, a lorry got trapped under debris; driver Ganeshan (58) lost his life, while helper Murukan (50) sustained injuries.
• The location had previously witnessed a major landslip in August 2018 that destroyed part of the college building. Vegetation regrowth had helped stabilize the area temporarily.
• lack of preventative measures like retaining walls or plant cover to stabilize slopes was identified as a key factor contributing to these recent incidents.
• The expert team conducted drone inspections and is prepared to submit a detailed report if required by district authorities.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The findings from this study underscore critical gaps in disaster preparedness and execution during infrastructure expansion projects. while road widening is essential for connectivity and progress,overlooking geological stability measures such as constructing retaining walls or maintaining vegetation along high slopes can result in tragic consequences.The recurrence of landslips at this site-despite prior warnings highlighted by similar incidents-raises concerns about inadequate enforcement of safety protocols.

This situation demonstrates the need for integrating long-term ecological considerations into developmental planning processes for hilly terrains like Idukki. More proactive involvement from local administration bodies may be pivotal in ensuring that future projects adhere strictly to guidelines minimizing environmental risks without halting progress.Read more: The Hindu