National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials continued rock removal operations at Randam Mile near Munnar on the Kochi–Dhanushkodi National Highway on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt has banned vehicular traffic along the Adimaly–Munnar stretch starting Tuesday, following a major rockfall at the site.
According to officials, the rockfall occurred during highway-widening work. The ban was enforced after loose boulders and weakened trees along the slopes were found to pose an imminent danger to motorists. Authorities estimate that clearing the debris and demolishing hazardous rock formations will take at least three days.
Officials noted that rock-clearing work is under way, adding that traffic cannot resume until slope stabilization is fully completed and verified.
Following the closure, traffic has been diverted along alternative routes. Vehicles traveling from Adimaly to Munnar must turn off at Iruttukanam and proceed via Anachal and Randam Mile. Those traveling from Munnar to Adimaly must follow the reverse route via Randam Mile, Anachal, and Iruttukanam. Motorists headed toward Mankulam have been directed to divert at Iruttukanam to reach Kallar Junction before proceeding toward Mankulam.
Although the District Collector had directed the NHAI project director to clear the route within three days, officials indicated that the stabilization work could take longer.
Regular traffic will be permitted only after an expert technical committee inspects the stretch and certifies it safe. The District Police Chief and local law enforcement have been directed to set up proper barricading and intensify surveillance along the corridor during night hours.
To prevent recurring incidents, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has directed the NHAI to stop vertical hill cutting along the roadside slopes and strictly adhere to scientific bench-cutting methods during expansion works.
The closure comes during the busy Pooja holiday season, a peak travel period when Munnar experiences a massive influx of tourists. Local tourism stakeholders have raised concerns that diverting heavy traffic through narrower secondary routes will trigger severe bottlenecks and prolonged gridlocks across the hill station.
Published - October 21, 2026 07:48 pm IST