More curbs on Ghat Road likely

KOZHIKODE: The discussion on easing the vehicular movement through the Ghat Road on Friday would focus more on the possibility of banning huge trucks and completion of the widening of hairpin curves on a war footing. People’s representatives from two districts, collectors and top officials of concerned departments including PWD, police and forest would participate.  Kalpetta MLA C.K. Saseendran and Thiruvambadi MLA George M. Thomas are for an immediate ban on huge trucks causing long traffic jams for hours on end.

Though widening is on the agenda, the priority would be on immediate completion of widening of five (3, 5, 6, 7, 8) hairpin bends.  Widening of 1st, 2nd and 4th curves needs private land acquired.  District collector U.V. Jose, who examined the Ghat stretch of the National Highway the other day, has prepared a set of suggestions for the meeting.  The local people would get more support for creative intervention in the maintenance and conservation of the road. Among the alternative roads, the Adivaram-Thalappuzha road, a 14.5-km by-pass to the Ghat road, is identified as one of the best options.