Kerala Chief Minister Defends Tunnel Project Amid Rising Death Toll
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday defended the environmental clearances granted for the twin-tunnel project in Wayanad, even as the death toll from the devastating mudslide in the district rose to six. The CM also accused the previous state government of failing to take adequate precautions to avert the Kalladi disaster despite receiving extremely heavy rainfall alerts.
Death Toll and Rescue Operations
The mudslide, which struck the Kalladi region of Wayanad early Wednesday morning, has claimed six lives so far, with rescue operations ongoing. According to district officials, at least 15 people are still missing, and over 200 have been evacuated to relief camps. The Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed for search and rescue efforts.
Vijayan's Defense of Twin-Tunnel Project
Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayan stated that the twin-tunnel project, part of the broader Kozhikode-Wayanad-Mysuru highway expansion, underwent all required environmental impact assessments and clearances. He emphasized that the project was not responsible for the mudslide, attributing the disaster to unprecedented rainfall. "The twin-tunnel project received clearances based on scientific studies. The current tragedy is a result of extreme weather, not development activities," Vijayan said.
Accusations Against Previous Government
The CM further alleged that the previous government, led by the United Democratic Front (UDF), did not act on early warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). "Despite an extremely heavy rainfall alert for Wayanad on July 7, no precautionary measures were taken. If the previous administration had acted promptly, lives could have been saved," Vijayan claimed. He cited specific warnings that indicated a high risk of landslides in the region.
Opposition's Response
Opposition leaders, including Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan, rejected Vijayan's defense, arguing that the tunnel project had weakened the region's geological stability. "The CM is deflecting blame. The tunnel clearances were rushed, and the environmental impact was downplayed. The people of Wayanad are paying the price," Kuzhalnadan said. The opposition has demanded a judicial inquiry into the disaster and the project's approvals.
Environmental Concerns and Expert Opinions
Environmental activists have long raised concerns about the twin-tunnel project, warning that blasting and excavation could destabilize the fragile Western Ghats ecosystem. Geologist Dr. S. Sreekumar noted that while the heavy rainfall was the immediate trigger, "the cumulative impact of infrastructure projects in landslide-prone areas cannot be ignored." The state government has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased.
