Even as the newly constructed Munnar-Bodimettu stretch of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway has emerged as a major transit path for visitors to reach the Munnar hill station, the Poopara-Munnar stretch on the route poses severe threat to travellers and wild animals alike.
Recently a wild elephant, locally called Padayappa, tried to attack tourists’ vehicles at Lakkad, near Devikulam, on the stretch. According to local residents, Padayappa chased the vehicle and the tourists had a narrow escape. In May last year, two persons sustained injuries after the car they were travelling in hit a wild elephant, locally called Chakkakompan, at Choondal, near Thondimla, on the highway.
A project to construct animal bridges and underpasses along the highway at Munnar remains on paper. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate the highway on Friday.
