The avalanche that occurred in Quetame, Cundinamarca, generated dismay in the community due to the human and economic losses it has left in its wake. According to Juan Guillermo Zuluaga, governor of Meta, economic losses reach 50,000 million pesos that directly affect agribusiness, livestock, tourism and services.
After the road to Llano was disabled by order of Invías due to the structural damage suffered by the avalanche, studies are being carried out to allow traffic in the area. Due to the magnitude of the disaster, the governor of Cundinamarca, Nicolás García, declared a manifest urgency and public calamity in the affected municipalities, such as Quetame, Guayabetal, Fosca and Gutiérrez.
On video: President Gustavo Petro on the tragedy in Quetame: “The danger has not stopped”
The use of alternative routes implies a significant increase in operating expenses, such as the increase in the cost of tolls and fuel, which will affect the price of freight and potentially affect food prices for consumers.
Tragedy Quetame: How long will the road to the Llano be closed?
Although the Minister of Transportation, William Camargo, announced a tentative date for the reopening of the road, with the installation of two metal bridges to restore traffic (July 28, the first bridge), the transporters are looking for definitive solutions that involve joint work between entities and contractors to better manage water and prevent future disasters.
For their part, the transport companies announced that from today dispatches will be made by alternate routes. However, they warned about the increase in travel costs and travel times. The road to Llano, which connects Bogotá with Villavicencio, is a route with a high flow of users, with more than 15,000 daily passengers on average. The emergency situation would cause a significant increase in operating costs, which will affect the price of tickets.
The route from the Bogotá Transport Terminal to Villavicencio is 135 km, with an approximate travel time of 3 hours. However, by alternative routes, such as the route through Sisga-Guateque-San Luis de Gaceno, the distance is extended to 353 km and the travel time increases to approximately 8 hours. Another alternative route, Sisga-Tunja-Sogamoso-Pajarito-Aguazul-Tauramena-Restrepo, involves a distance of 564 km and an approximate travel time of 12 hours.
On video: Quetame landslide: Government announced measures to restore the Bogotá-Villavicencio highway
“Operating costs increase due to the kilometers of alternate roads, both for light vehicles and heavy vehicles. In both cases, fuel and toll costs double for light vehicles and triple for heavy vehicles. This will affect the price of tickets for users. There is freedom to charge, but it is important that users are informed about possible increases through virtual media and the information provided,” said José Yesid Rodríguez, president of the Association for the Integral Development of Intermunicipal Land Transport (ADITT).
“It is essential to communicate changes in tickets and rates to users in a timely manner, and to have a technical fee structure that prevents abuse. Companies are conducting analyzes and studies to make sure there are no rate abuses. For now, the relief we are requesting is focused on the issue of tolls, and we hope that the government will take action on this soon, considering the closure of the original road,” he added.
Finally, it should be added that the National Government and local governments are taking measures to mitigate economic risks. The rates of public air and land transport will be monitored, and the Civil Aeronautics will manage a solidarity air bridge to and from Villavicencio. In addition, an extraordinary subsidy of $500,000 was approved for the families and inhabitants affected by the emergency.
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