A tale of two Tirumala ghat roads

​Tirupati: This is the tale of two hill roads on the holy hill Tirumala. One was laid during the British period before independence in 1944 and other thirty years later in free India.

The old one proved to be sturdy while the other one turned susceptible to vagaries of weather like rains. One cannot help but wonder at the new one known as second ghat road which was opened to the public after its construction in1974, witnessing landslides resulting in the closure of the road for more than three months for repairs due to downpour that hit Chittoor and Nellore districts last November and December.

While the old one – the first ghat road stood intact allowing smooth flow of vehicles even in the heavy rains, all along its 18 km stretch.

In fact, the old one came handy for both up and down vehicular traffic after the new hill road was shut partially. That is from km12, due to landslides on the road above,

forcing the TTD divert the vehicular traffic to the first ghat road via the link road at Mokalimita area connecting both the roads.

Speaking to The Hans, TTD Chief Engineer Chintha Chandrasekhar Reddy said that three factors troubling the new one – invisible expansion effect, trees and water flow.

The expansion of the rocks in the down reaches, particularly from km 11 to 15, due to high temperature which is normally four to five degree Celsius more than the climate on the hills, dislocates the rocks or boulders.

While the roots of the trees which up to a limit act as support but beyond that turn inimical, loosening the very soil affecting the positioning of the rocks.

During rains, the cascading water from various directions on the hill slopes before it forms into small stream adds momentum to landslides, he said.

The first ghat road faces no such troubles.
The main factor behind the durability of the first ghat road was it was laid on the on the proven track i.e. old bullock cart road from Tirupati to Tirumala with gradual slope all along its route, making it easy and safe.

Its construction was done by the reputed contractor Ganon and Dunkly and legendary engineer Mokashagundam Visvesvaraya also lent his knowhow for the construction of the first ghat road.

On the other hand, the second ghat road runs steep from km 11 to km 17 and is prone to landslides. The road was laid by cutting the slope on the hills and piercing through rock formations, leaving fractured rocks at many points, he said.

This is the crux of the problem as any slight disturbances caused by rains results in the falling of the boulders or rocks.

The TTD has taken elaborate precautionary measures with regard to the maintenance of the second road particularly from km 11 km to km 17, the risky area which naturally involves considerable funds while there is no need for the TTD to spend that much amount for first ghat road.

Ramachandra Reddy, Superintendent Engineer, Tirumala said that the best option is laying a new road from the link road point parallel to the first ghat road adjacent to Mokalaimitta hill area to a distance of five or six km, avoiding the risky stretch from km 11 to 17 on the second ghat road.

A proposal was also prepared but it has not seen the light the day, he said.

By:G Sridhar