Thamarassery (Kerala): Road maintenance and removal of fallen trees will be carried out at the Thamarassery ghat pass on January 22 and 23, prompting restrictions on the movement of heavy and multi-axle vehicles.

The Public Works Department (PWD) National Highways Division said repair work will be undertaken from the upper part of the seventh hairpin bend to Lakkidi, while fallen trees will be shifted from the sixth hairpin bend as part of the widening and renovation of the ghat road.

During daytime hours on Thursday and Friday, the movement of multi-axle goods vehicles and heavy vehicles will be restricted through the pass. Such vehicles are to use alternative routes via Nadukani ghat pass or Kuttiyadi ghat pass to avoid traffic congestion.

Letters have been sent to the assistant engineer of the PWD National Highways Department in Koduvally, the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Kalpetta, and the Thamarassery and Vythiri tehsildars, seeking coordinated action to enforce traffic diversions and ensure smooth flow for commuters.

Officials warned that traffic congestion is likely to worsen if restrictions are not implemented effectively. Similar curbs were imposed on January 5 when the first phase of road maintenance and tree-lifting work resumed. On that day, temporary repairs using tar mix were carried out on damaged stretches from the first to the seventh hairpin bend.

Pending repairs include hairpin bends eight and nine, along with a collapsed section caused by a rockfall near the viewpoint. On January 5, Wayanad police impounded several multi-axle vehicles beyond the district border gate, though officials noted lapses in enforcement in both districts during earlier operations.

With maintenance now underway at the eighth hairpin bend, the PWD National Highways Division has again approached police and revenue authorities to ensure strict traffic control, as the entry of heavy vehicles could hinder work and worsen congestion.

Meanwhile, safety measures following the rockfall above the ninth bend on August 26 are set to begin soon. Dileep Buildcon, the company executing the tunnel project, will install special protective netting along the passageway to prevent further rockfalls. An online meeting chaired by the district collector had earlier decided to ban heavy vehicles and ensure crane services during the execution of the safety works.