Officials from the environment wing of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), New Delhi, on Monday inspected the ghat section of the national highways (NH 181) between Kallar and Ooty, as per the direction of the Madras high court.
The high court gave the direction in connection with a case regarding the vertical cuttings carried out on the uphill side of the ghat section of the road by the National Highways-TN state wing.
The chief general manager, environmental wing, NHAI, is the 17th respondent in the case.
After inspecting the 38km-stretch of the ghat section, NHAI officials observed that rocks were illegally quarried in many places. The rocks were found broken into boulders using chemicals.Even though the court ordered to support the vertical cutting of the hillsides with concrete revetment, most were found unsupported, they observed.
According to the NHAI officials, disturbing the gorge side of the hill road is more dangerous than slicing vertically the hillside.
“The state wing of the NH (falling under highways department) did not come to us for any technical expertise or advice in connection with the ongoing work,” a NHAI official said.
“The inspection report will be submitted to the Madras high court in due course,” he added.
