Inadequate slopes make highways prone to landslides
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 04 2020: Failure to maintain proper slope at the time of construction has rendered Imphal-Moreh highway vulnerable to landslides.

Testifying the vulnerability, the highway has been blocked by almost half of its breadth by landslides in the wake of the recent rainfall.

NHIDCL has been constructing the highway after dividing it into two sections viz; Lilong to Wangjing and Wangjing to Kongkhang.

Major portions of the Wangjing-Kongkhang section have been constructed.

Earlier, Imphal-Moreh highway was under the care of State PWD before it was taken over by NHIDCL which is a public undertaking of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Now the highway is very smooth and looks quite impressive but failure to maintain proper slope at the time of construction has rendered it vulnerable to landslides.

One NHIDCL official told The Sangai Express that there was the issue of loss of forest areas at the time of land acquisition for upgrading the highway.

As there were several complaints, sufficient land could not be acquired.

This was the main reason for the failure to maintain proper slope, said the official.

Land measuring 30 metres in breadth was acquired at places where there are human habitations but in areas where there are no human habitation land measuring 40 metres in breadth was acquired.

To prevent landslides from steep hill sides, hydroseeding has been taken up on trial basis at minimal cost by planting trees so that their roots hold the loose soil together.

In addition, breast walls are being constructed.

When landslides occur, earth and rocks which block the highway are removed immediately, said the NHIDCL official.

On the other hand, one PWD engineer said that roads constructed on hilly terrain have their own prescribed angles based on the topography.

If any section of the highway is too steep and vulnerable to landslides, it is essential to provide slope protection as seen on the Shimla highway, said the engineer adding that the soil of Manipur is generally vulnerable to landslides.

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