more-in The Public Works Department (PWD) will deploy modern technology for the stabilisation of slopes at the sites of the 2,442 landslips triggered by the recent rain and floods across the State. Slope stabilisation is a system for effectively managing erosion from disturbed surfaces. Talks are on to rope in the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as consultant as it has vast experience in using modern technology for slope stabilisation in NH corridors, Jammu and Kashmir, and Northeastern States, official sources told The Hindu. Highway engineers, technical experts, and various agencies that have relevant expertise will also be involved. A meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Tom Jose has given the nod to the PWD to adopt modern technology for slope stabilisation and to strengthen vulnerable areas. Idukki, Palakkad, and Wayanad districts are the worst affected. Various technological solutions that have been presented are being examined by the PWD to find out whether they suit the soil and peculiar climatic conditions. The PWD has already in front of it the soil-nailing technology that has come to the aid of the NHAI for the stabilisation of steep slopes near Kuzhivila, along the Kazhakuttam-Karode bypass of NH 66. The NHAI had used the technology for the first time in the State when the embankment slipped during four-laning work. Following its success in Kuzhivila, it was found to be durable and cost-effective, the NHAI is using it to reinforce slopes that are more than four metres high. For slopes of up to four metres high, the NHAI is constructing retaining walls for stability and to prevent caving in of earth. Metal rods of 25 mm to 32 mm are inserted into pre-drilled holes in the soil at inclinations of 10 to 20 degrees. It is then grouted with cement and geotextiles are applied to ensure stability. The PWD had also used soil stabilisation technology in the 5.9-km corridor near Adoor recently. Asphalt full-depth recycling was successfully used for relaying the road under the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board- funded road works. Rock slope protection, slope roughening, terracing, rounding mulches, and recent technologies such as geocells, steel netting, netting with coir, jute, or geotextiles are used in the country. Once a method is short-listed, sources said the PWD would go for competitive bidding for executing the work at the vulnerable sites initially. The plan is to complete the slope stabilisation in three years.

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