SRINAGAR: In the wake of recent flash floods, landslides and rockfalls that damaged property and disrupted traffic on national highways, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has directed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the Public Works Department (PWD) to conduct safety audits of high-risk road stretches and take immediate preventive measures.
Saxena chaired a high-level meeting to review preparedness and mitigation measures in the Union Territory. The meeting was attended by GoC 14 Corps Lt Gen Madanraj Pande, Chief Engineer HQ 14 Corps Brig Aditya Harshey, Chief Engineer Project Vijayak Brig Rahul Oberoy, Chief Engineer Project Himank Brig Rajiv Ahlawat and the Secretary, PWD.
The LG stressed the need for proactive measures at vulnerable locations to prevent similar incidents and ensure uninterrupted road connectivity.
Recent heavy rainfall triggered flash floods, landslides and rockfalls in parts of Ladakh, damaging public and private property and disrupting traffic on highways connecting the Union Territory with the rest of the country.
Saxena directed the agencies to conduct detailed safety audits of vulnerable stretches, particularly 15 identified high-risk locations on the Leh-Kargil National Highway and four to five vulnerable points on the Khardung La stretch of the Leh-Nubra road. He asked officials to assess unstable slopes and remove loose rocks that could pose a threat to commuters.
According to the LG, the recent incidents highlighted the need to strengthen preparedness and move from reactive response to proactive prevention.
“I have directed the concerned agencies to identify vulnerable locations, undertake detailed safety audits and use the best available technologies for slope stabilisation and rockfall protection. Our priority is to ensure the safety of people, protect critical infrastructure and maintain uninterrupted connectivity across Ladakh," he said.
During the meeting, BRO officials gave a presentation on the causes of slope failures, including unprecedented rainfall patterns, geological conditions, changes in slope gradient, shocks and vibrations, weathering, developmental activities and water pressure.
Officials also discussed mitigation measures, including retaining and breast walls, flexible ring nets for debris protection, soil nailing, rock bolting and anchoring, shored-wall retaining structures, rockfall embankments, rock sheds, high-energy absorption barrier systems, smart rockfall detection systems and the use of geosynthetics.
Chief Engineer, Project Vijayak assured that safety audits and preventive measures on the Leh-Kargil and Leh-Nubra highways would be taken up on priority. The Lieutenant Governor also directed the PWD Secretary to conduct safety audits and implement risk mitigation measures on two major road stretches under the department's control.