Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Dec 9: Excavation carried out at Kettikal Hill near Vamanjoor on the Mangaluru–Bikarnakatte–Sanur stretch of National Highway 169, as part of the highway widening project, had triggered frequent landslides during the past two monsoons, causing significant damage. Now, to prevent further soil slips from the hilltop, work on constructing a gabion wall has commenced.
During the rainy seasons, large volumes of water flowed down from the hilltop, causing landslides at several points and creating an alarming situation. Earlier, soil nailing work was carried out at the base of the hill to prevent soil erosion onto the road. However, due to heavy rains, soil nailing proved ineffective in some sections, leading to further collapse. Consequently, the district administration sought expert guidance, following which construction of the gabion wall was initiated. As part of the work, stones are being placed along the upper section of the hill to prevent further erosion.
A gabion wall spanning approximately 150–200 metres is being constructed in areas where major landslides have occurred. The process of placing and securing stones is currently underway. Although landslides occurred at another spot during this year’s rains, no work has been initiated there yet. Officials aim to complete the ongoing work before the next monsoon to ensure the hill remains stable. However, locals have expressed concern, questioning what might happen if landslides recur even after this construction. They have urged the district administration and highway authorities to ensure a strong and durable structure to prevent future soil slips.
A gabion walls consist of box-shaped iron mesh structures filled tightly with stones and placed against portions of a hill prone to landslides. Even if water flows through the gaps between the stones, soil does not erode. These walls function like stone retaining structures. The railway department also uses gabion walls in areas where tracks pass through hilly terrain to prevent landslides. A similar structure is now being built at Kettikal. For this purpose, the hill has already been levelled in stages.
With reduced rainfall, highway construction in this region has also picked up pace. The road connecting Mangaluru to Moodbidri along the hillside is almost complete. Meanwhile, soil-filling work is underway in the deep trench created for constructing the road from the Moodbidri side towards the city.