Udhagamandalam: A two year ban on the use of the steep and winding Kalhatty ghat road near here was lifted today.However,on the re-opening day itself ,there was cause for concern, as a tourist car was involved in a mishap.

The  22.2 kilometre road connecting Ooty with Masinagudy,has been often in the news,over the past several years,owing to minor and major
accidents, involving light and heavy vehicles,occurring on the stretch.

Since it had become,extremely accident prone, a ban had been imposed on vehicular traffic about two years ago.Only local  and ‘emergency’ vehicles  had been allowed.

Following appeals made by trade and farm bodies,a meeting had been convened recently by the Superintendent of Police Dr.V.SasiMohan.It
led to a decision to lift the ban,with restrictions,from today.

However on the first day itself,a tourist car had collided with a rock,just below the Kalhatty check Post and another local vehicles had reportedly met with a mishap, further below.

Enquiries reveal that since no one was injured, cases had not been registered.

Nevertheless ,the incidents have raised concern and underscored the need for more caution.

Residents of Thalaikundah,where the stretch begins,pointed out that the main cause for  accidents  occurring on the road was  unsuitable driving practices.