New Delhi | Infrastructure company Dilip Buildcon on Tuesday ruled out any technical error that could have led to a landslide at the Anakkampoyil–Kalladi– Meppadi tunnel project site in Wayanad, Kerala, that killed at least three people, while injuring 10 others.
Dilip Buildcon, in a regulatory filing, said that the project is being executed in strict compliance with all applicable engineering, safety and environmental approvals and protocols.
"Given its location in an ecologically sensitive region, the project is subject to multiple regulatory oversight and monitoring mechanisms, including supervision by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee, and all excavated material is handled in accordance with the approved methodology," it said.
A video clip showed the mound of mud, accumulated near the Meenakshi Bridge, suddenly collapsing due to the rain, bringing down trees and blowing away the metal and cloth barricades set up at the construction site.
"With such additional and strict compliance procedures, the room for technical error remains very limited,"Dilip Buildcon said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister V D Satheesan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that the contractors had been told much in advance by the Public Works Department Minister P K Basheer and the District Collector to remove the huge quantity of mud accumulated in the area.
"However, the contractors did not abide by the directions," the CM said after reviewing the situation with officials of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) at their office.
According to officials, the landslide occurred at Kalladi, where work on a tunnel road project connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad districts was under way.
Dilip Buildcon said the incident occurred during an active monsoon spell, amid exceptionally heavy rainfall in Wayanad.
"We remain fully committed to cooperating with the investigation and will continue to share verified information as it becomes available.
"Our focus remains on supporting the rescue efforts and standing with the affected families during this difficult time," the company said.
The construction of the twin-tube tunnels at Wayanad was awarded to Bhopal-based Dilip Buildcon Limited, while the contract for certain approach road and bridge works was awarded to Kolkata-based Royal Infrastructure (Royal Infra Construction), under the Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi tunnel road project being implemented by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL).
New Delhi | Terming the news of a landslide in Kerala’s Wayanad deeply distressing, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday called upon the state government to make every possible effort to reach out to those who are still trapped.
The leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha also called upon the Congress and UDF workers to extend their assistance in this time of need.
“The news of the landslide in Wayanad is deeply distressing. My heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.
“Relief and rescue operations are underway, and every possible effort is being made to reach those still trapped. I appeal to all Congress and UDF workers to extend any assistance in this time of need,” the former Wayanad MP said in a post on X.
“Wayanad has shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity before, and together, we will stand by every affected family through this tragedy,” Gandhi said.
The landslide occurred near the Meenakshi bridge at Kalladi, where work on a tunnel road project connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad districts was underway.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan said that one person was killed, seven were injured, and seven others were missing in the landslide.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragic disaster.”
He added that the chief minister is personally monitoring the relief and rescue operations, and every effort is being made to provide timely assistance to those in need.
“I appeal to all Congress and UDF workers to stand with the affected families and extend every possible support during this difficult time. We stand in solidarity with the people of Wayanad and all the affected families,” Kharge said.
Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said in a post on X that all efforts are being made to rescue those still trapped in the landslide.
“Respected CM V D Satheesan is monitoring relief efforts himself; police and NDRF have been at the site for some time, SDRF teams and civil defence volunteers have also reached.
“We are all coordinating with the district administration, ministers T Siddique and A P Anil Kumar, who are on their way from Thiruvanantapuram, local party functionaries and concerned agencies,” she said.
“My deepest condolences to those who have lost precious family members; we will be by your side through this terrible time and give you every support possible. Our prayers and hope for those who have still not been found; may they stay strong while rescue efforts attempt to reach them, and may their loved ones who wait for them have courage at this painful moment,” she added.
The Wayanad MP also appealed to the UDF workers, functionaries and members of the public to provide all possible support while strictly following the administration’s guidelines.
“At a time like this, we need to ensure that relief and rescue efforts are not hampered and we ensure all possible help without causing any distractions,” she said.
