Kerala Government announces Rs 5 lakh ex gratia for Wayanad tunnel landslide victims
The Kerala government has announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF) for the families of those who lost their lives in the recent landslide at the Kalladi Tunnel Phase-3 construction site in Wayanad district.
The state government also approved financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh for the treatment of those injured in the incident, with the amount to be determined based on the severity of their injuries.
In addition to the relief package, the government has constituted an expert committee to investigate the cause of the landslide. The panel will examine whether the contractor violated contractual obligations related to the tunnel project, assess the circumstances that led to the accident, and review compliance with environmental and forest clearance conditions granted by the Union government.
Search operations are continuing to trace the remaining missing worker, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Fire and Rescue Services and other agencies continuing efforts along the Meenachipuzha river and surrounding areas.
The Kerala government has also suspended construction work on the Wayanad tunnel project until the investigation is completed and safety measures are reviewed.
