Thodupuzha: Traffic hasn’t resumed on the Gap Road for almost a week after a massive mudslide wreaked havoc on the Devikulam stretch of the road on the national highway. Meanwhile, the merchants and those working in the Devikulam area's tourism sector have suffered losses due to the traffic ban, reported Manorama Online. The district authorities banned traffic on this road after it was blocked by mud, sludge, and giant boulders.
Even though the rains have subsided in the area, the authorities haven’t begun the work to break the boulders and remove them from the road yet. Vehicle bans have become regular in this area, which does not have an alternate road facility to ensure uninterrupted traffic. Moreover, frequent mudslides and traffic blockades have severely affected the tourism scope of prominent destinations like Chinnakanal and Suryanelli.
An additional 10 kilometres! Tourists are now forced to take the longer route from Munnar to Pooppara, additionally travelling 10 kilometres. People have been complaining of time and financial loss as they have to take this route. The school students and teachers from the Chinnakanal region also take the longer Kunjithanni route to reach their schools.
Currently, KSRTC and the buses of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation are running services via Gap Road. The KSRTC charges Rs 113 as ticket fare in the Munnar – Bodimettu route while TNSTC charges Rs 115. Both KSRTC and TNSTC charge an additional Rs 15 for reaching the destinatio.