LANDSLIDE FALL-OUT: IS IT SAFE TO PUT UP MASSIVE BUILDINGS IN COORG?

By P.T. Bopanna

In the wake of the August landslides that devastated vast areas in Kodagu (Coorg), permission should not be granted for massive structures in the district. Work on the new Kodagu district courts complex (in picture) on the outskirts of Madikeri is almost ready and expected to be completed in a couple of months.

According to reports, there were minor incidents of landslides around new court complex in August, forcing authorities to build additional protective walls. The new red-coloured court complex resembles the Karnataka high court building in Bengaluru.

One of the most dangerous buildings in the district is the Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences complex on Abbey Falls road. The building was built after flattening a hillock. Reports say there were landslides in the area in the last monsoon. There were reports that the location of the campus was chosen to benefit a politician.

Another dangerous building is the new district offices of the Kodagu deputy commissioner, close to General Thimayya statue at Madikeri, abutting Mangaluru road.  

Structures of a few hotels and resorts in Kodagu are unsafe, including a massive star hotel coming up on Madikeri-Somwarpet road. It may be recalled that damage was caused to a five-star hotel near Madikeri due to landslide last August, but it was hushed up by the hotel group which evacuated the guests following the mishap.

It is time the authorities reviewed the permission given for massive structures inside Kodagu and also conduct a safety audit of structures located in vulnerable areas.