Fresh Landslide at Kalinga Ghat Hampers Restoration on NH-157

Restoration efforts at Kalinga Ghat on National Highway-157 suffered a major setback on Monday after a fresh landslide struck the stretch, officials said. The highway, which connects Ganjam and Kandhamal districts, had already been severely damaged following massive landslides on September 16.

According to Bankim Chandra Panda, chief construction engineer of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), several huge rocks rolled down the hillside after heavy rainfall, while many others were left hanging precariously, posing further risks to repair teams.

“The situation remains challenging as continuous rain is loosening the soil and triggering more rockfalls. Safety measures are being prioritized before resuming full-scale restoration,” Panda said.

Authorities have deployed heavy machinery to clear the debris, but traffic between the two districts continues to be affected. Locals and commuters have been advised to avoid the stretch until further notice.

The NHAI has assured that efforts are underway to restore connectivity at the earliest, though officials warned that adverse weather conditions could cause further delays.