Berhampur, Sep 22: Restoration work at the Kalinga Ghat stretch of National Highway 157, a crucial link between Ganjam and Kandhamal districts in Odisha, came to a standstill on Monday following a fresh landslide triggered by heavy rainfall, officials said.

The already damaged stretch, which suffered massive landslides on September 16, now faces further delays in repair and reopening.

Fresh Landslide

According to Bankim Chandra Panda, Chief Construction Engineer of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), several large rocks rolled down the hillside due to continuous rain, while others remain dangerously suspended.

“The situation is terrible now and work has been stalled,” Panda said, adding that despite deploying heavy machinery to temporarily restore traffic, the fresh landslide has made progress impossible.

The Engineer further stated that NHAI is unable to provide a timeline for completion due to unpredictable weather conditions. “If rain continues for a few more days, even temporary construction will be delayed,” he warned.

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Vital Link Severed

The Kalinga Ghat stretch serves as a key transportation route between Ganjam and Kandhamal districts. Following the initial landslide, the Kandhamal district administration ordered the closure of the highway for safety reasons.

With the route blocked, passenger buses from Berhampur are now rerouted via Daringbadi Road or Dasapalla in Nayagarh district, significantly increasing travel time and inconvenience for commuters.

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