Will conduct comprehensive probe into landslide at tunnel road construction site; construction works will be suspended, says CM

KALPETTA: Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan on Wednesday announced a comprehensive investigation into the landslide at the tunnel road construction site in Kalladi, Wayanad, and said construction work would remain suspended until the inquiry is completed. Speaking to reporters after visiting the accident site, he said both technical and legal investigations would be carried out to determine the cause of the accident.

"We will conduct a comprehensive technical and legal investigation into the accident. We will also examine whether the conditions laid down by the Centre while granting environmental clearance for the tunnel project were fully followed," he said.

The Chief Minister said construction on the tunnel road would resume only after the investigation is completed and all safety concerns are addressed.

"Construction work will not resume until the inquiry is over and we are satisfied that all safety issues have been addressed," he added.

Satheesan said the government's immediate priority was the rescue operation.

"Around 250 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Fire and Rescue Services, and the police are coordinating the rescue efforts," he said.

The Chief Minister said continuous heavy rain was making rescue operations difficult.

"The heavy rain is affecting the search operation. Rescue teams are making every effort to trace the five people who are still missing. We are also examining the possibility that they may have been swept away by the river," he said.

As a precaution, people living near the accident site and in other vulnerable areas have been evacuated.

Providing an update on the casualties, Satheesan said three people were killed in the landslide, while five remain missing. Ten people were admitted to hospital, of whom three were discharged on Wednesday. Three patients are still being treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and the condition of two of them remains critical.

Announcing relief measures, the Chief Minister said the Kerala government would provide Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the family of each person who died in the accident.

"The government will provide Rs 5 lakh to the family of each deceased. Financial assistance will also be provided to meet the medical expenses of those injured," he said.