Kodai returning to normalcy as Batlagundu road reopened for heavy vehicles

Days after the cyclone Gaja struck the hill town on November 16, heavy vehicles started plying through the road, which was often taken by tourists to reach Kodaikanal. The Palani road was also opened for heavy vehicles after uprooted trees were cleared.

According to assistant director of highways, Kodaikanal, RT Vijayakumar said, “About 25 metres on the stretch near Kurusadai got eroded following landslide and sandbags were placed on the damaged portion as a temporary measure.”

According to S Mathew, assistant executive engineer of Tangedco, Kodaikanal, “Electricity supply has been restored in 90 per cent of the areas. Around 200 damaged poles in the urban areas and 120 poles in rural areas have been replaced. Restoration works are in progress in some pockets like Vattakanal, Pudukadal, St Mary’s Road and in parts of the lower hill.” Kodaikanal on the whole has around 17,000 electricity consumers, he said assured that the electricity supply would be restored in all the parts by Thursday.

Aggrieved over the situation, SL Francis Raja, a resident, said residents were facing difficulties due to erratic supply of electricity in parts of Anandagiri, Vattakanal and Prakasapuram in Kodaikanal. “Power supply, which was suspended on Saturday, was yet to resume in Thandigudi and five other nearby localities,” V Ashok, resident of Thandigudi added.

However, in the aftermath of cyclone Gaja, tourist guides had been facing woes, as the impact had completely halted arrival of tourists, affecting their livelihood.

SM Vetrivel, president, Kodai Green Tourist Guides Association, told DTNext that, “Though Kodaikanal is returning back to normalcy, tourist arrival is yet to pick up in the area.”