Cracks in the retaining wall are forcing the Sringeri taluk administration to relocate residents

A retaining wall built to prevent landslides in Sringeri has developed cracks, leaving people in the adjoining locality worried. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A retaining wall constructed recently to prevent landslides at Gorigudda town in Sringeri town has developed cracks, forcing the taluk administration to relocate residents and traders from the area. The administration has made temporary arrangements for the residents of government hostels and Sringeri Mutt rooms.

A landslide during heavy rains in 2023 left the historic dargah near the taluk office in a precarious position, prompting the government to initiate a wall construction project. The L-shaped wall, measuring 58 meters in length and 14 meters in height, was built at a cost of ₹ 1.84 crore. As the contractor has not yet been fully paid, the project is still considered to be ongoing under the Panchayat Raj department.

Local residents noticed the cracks on Wednesday and noticed that they were widening as heavy rain continued to lash the city. There are up to 15 houses, four commercial establishments and a cottage near the building. The taluk administration intervened and convinced residents living near the wall to move to safer locations. They were told to take their valuables and move out as a precaution. However, traders were reluctant to move because it would mean a loss of earnings.

Meanwhile, the district administration has asked experts to visit the site and submit reports on the quality of the construction and how it could be restored. A team of engineers from Mangaluru with experience in landslide handling along with another team specializing in waterproofing dams and retaining walls visited the structure. Both teams took time to present their recommendations.

Anup Sanjyog, Tahsildar, told The Hindu that experts are studying the structure and will come up with suggestions. “The Panchayat Raj engineering department has taken up the work. The contractor claims to have executed the project as per the approved plan and not deviated from it. But we have shifted the residents as a precautionary measure. We are waiting for expert suggestions,” he said.

The topic has also sparked a political debate. Former minister DN Jeevaraj of the BJP visited the site on Friday and criticized the police for doing the job poorly. He also claimed that corruption during the implementation of the project was behind the poor quality construction. Sringeri MLA TD Raje Gowda, who also visited the site, dismissed the allegations of corruption as baseless and spoke against politicization of the issue. He said the district administration had invited experts to study the structure and suggest necessary remedial measures.

Published – 11 Jul 2026 19:56 IST