Normalcy was restored on the rain-hit Ooty-Coonoor National Highway on Monday.
With work on repairing a badly-damaged stretch at Chinna Bickatty being completed the road was thrown open to traffic in the presence of the Khadi Board Minister, K. Ramachandran, the Nilgiris Collector, Archana Patnaik, and senior officials.
Mr. Ramachandran told presspersons that steps had been taken on a war-footing to re-open the road.
Official sources pointed out that the stretch had suffered extensive damages during the deluge of November 2009. It had been damaged again a couple of months ago in a downpour. It was re-opened a couple of days later after carrying out temporary repairs.
However, it gave way again owing to heavy rain and traffic. Hence, it was closed for a longer period to enable the National Highways Authority of India to attend to the repairs without any pressure.
The re-opening of the road on Monday was greeted with cheer by various sections of society here.
Pointing out that it had subjected commuters to considerable hardship, residents said that the closure had also hit the tourism and travel sectors.
