On Tuesday, Kerala Chief Minister V.D Satheesan announced the formation of a three-member expert committee to oversee the safe removal of accumulated soil at the Wayanad Kalladi Tunnel construction site in Kerala. The decision was made during a high-level meeting attended by the Chief Minister, Home Minister, and Public Works Minister, following concerns about the site. The committee, comprising Dr. Santhosh G. Thampi, Dr. Jude Emmanuel, and a representative from NCESS, will assess the site conditions and suggest measures for safe soil disposal. This move comes after the debris slip tragedy in the Kalladi area of Wayanad, where excavated soil and debris stored near the construction site contributed to the incident. Chief Minister Satheesan had previously stated that the contractor company failed to follow instructions to clear the material, despite directions from the Wayanad District Collector and the District Disaster Management Authority on June 20. The Public Works Department Minister had also instructed the contractor to clear the debris, but these directions were not implemented. The state government has convened a meeting with District Collectors to identify vulnerable locations and carry out inspections, particularly ahead of the monsoon season, and has received complaints about alleged lapses in following safety norms at several National Highway construction sites. The expert committee aims to ensure the accumulated soil is removed through a scientifically assessed and safe process, addressing concerns related to construction safety and disaster preparedness.
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📰 Source: Mangalorean News