Officials from the environment wing of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) inspected the ghat section of NH 181 between Kallar and Ooty on Monday, following a directive from the Madras High Court. The inspection was carried out in connection with a case concerning vertical cuttings made by the National Highways-Tamil Nadu state wing on the uphill side of the ghat road.
The chief general manager of the NHAI's environmental wing, a respondent in the case, led the inspection of the 38-km stretch. During the visit, officials discovered multiple instances of illegal rock quarrying, where rocks had been broken into boulders using chemicals.
Despite the court's order to support vertical hillside cuttings with concrete revetment, many areas were found without proper reinforcement, increasing the risk of landslides. NHAI officials also expressed concern that disturbing the gorge side of the hill road posed greater danger than vertical cuts on the uphill side.
The NHAI plans to submit its inspection report to the Madras High Court in due course. An official noted that the state wing of the National Highways did not seek technical advice from NHAI regarding the ongoing work.
