SHIRUR: Traffic has resumed on National Highway 66, which was closed after the landslide that struck Shirur killing many people including Arjun of Kozhikode. The road was opened for traffic 17 days after the landslide on July 16.

Transportation was banned based on the report of the Geological Survey of India. Traffic was blocked by placing barricades on both sides of the national highway at a distance of four kilometers from the landslide area.

As per the present conditions, traffic is allowed at a speed of 20 kmph. Sign boards and signal lights will be installed for it. Steps will be taken to build a well to drain the water coming from the hill into the river. Parking on the roadside is prohibited. Police will be appointed for inspection.

Meantime, no search was conducted for Arjun in the Gangavali River yesterday. The decision regarding the delivery of the earthmoving machine which will be connected to the vessel of Thrissur Kerala Agricultural University will be taken only after studying the situation. The Agricultural University team visited the site and submitted a report to the Thrissur Collector. However, the Thrissur district administration has not received an official application in this regard from the Uttara Kannada district administration.

Actions are likely only after further testing and ascertaining how the machine will be useful. Meanwhile, on August 5, there will be a low tide on the Amavasi day, and since the water level in the river will decrease, there was a discussion that the earthmoving machine should be sent for that day in a meeting chaired by the Uttara Kannada Collector in Shirur. Arjun's family members returned from Shirur the other day but will go there today.