With the summer vacations round the corner, the TTD has expedited its developmental works on both Tirumala ghat roads.
The restoration works being taken up by the TTD in the aftermath of the devastating cyclone Roanu in November last are nearing completion. The second ghat road, which remained badly damaged with unprecedented landslips, has got a facelift with the Singapore-based BUMI geo-technical engineering company completing the rock nailing and bolting works along the upper stretch of the ghat road that had turned erogenous due to the torrential rains. At present, the TTD has initiated works worth more than Rs.5.50 crore on both ghat roads. Based on the recommendations of the IIT expert team consisting of professors K.S. Rao and Narasimha Rao, the management has taken up the construction of retaining walls on a war-footing all along the second ghat road at a whopping cost of Rs. 1.30 crore.
Works relating to the construction of retaining walls which helps arrest in the erosion of the soil, slipping of rocks and boulders is apace at all the 24 vulnerable locations identified by the team.
In addition, works relating to the renewal of BT road on the second ghat road at a cost of Rs. 2.75 crore are also under progress.
Crash barriers
On the other hand, the management has also simultaneously taken up the works relating to construction of crash barriers at several identified points on the first ghat road which traverses along the hilly terrains of the temple town at a cost of Rs. 1. 40 crore. The crash barriers are being constructed in bits and phases particularly at those points which remain uncovered by the mild steel railings. The intention behind structuring the barriers is to prevent the possible toppling of the vehicles into the valleys during accidents.
When contacted, TTD Executive Engineer-(V) K. Sivarama Krishna said that the management was keen on getting all the developmental works completed in a span of another three weeks.
