Adimali-Munnar road shut for 3 days after huge boulder falls on NH 85

Idukki: Traffic on the Adimali-Munnar stretch of National Highway 85 in Kerala's Idukki district has been completely suspended after a huge boulder fell onto the road, disrupting access to the popular hill tourism destination.

The restriction will remain in place until all safety risks have been eliminated, District Collector Dr Dineshan Cheruvath said on Tuesday.

The boulder fell in the Randaam Mile area on Monday night while earth was being excavated for highway construction. Other rocks and large trees on the slope are also in precarious positions, posing a threat to commuters, officials said.

Authorities estimate that it will take three days to remove the dangerous rocks and trees and break up the boulder blocking the road. The Collector has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) project director to complete the clearance work within this period.

Alternate route

Under the diversion plan, vehicles travelling from Munnar to Adimali must turn back at Randaam Mile and take the route via Anachal and Iruttukanam.

Those travelling from Adimali to Munnar should turn at Iruttukanam and proceed via Anachal to Randaam Mile before continuing towards Munnar.

Vehicles heading to Mankulam must turn at Iruttukanam, reach Kallar Junction and continue towards Mankulam.

Traffic will be restored only after an expert technical committee confirms that all safety risks have been addressed, officials said.

The district police chief and other officials have been instructed to install warning boards and barricades and ensure adequate safety measures, particularly at night.

The Disaster Management Authority has also recommended scientific bench cutting instead of vertical cutting during excavation on steep slopes to prevent similar incidents in the future, officials added.