Kerala ministers promise accountability in Wayanad Landslide; Probe on
The Kerala government assured strict accountability for the deadly landslide at the Wayanad tunnel road construction site, with ministers stating that no one found responsible would escape action once the cause of the disaster is established.
Ministers T Siddique and A P Anilkumar, who reached Wayanad to oversee search and rescue operations, said the immediate priority remains locating those still missing after Tuesday's landslide near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi. They added that a detailed scientific investigation would be conducted to determine the exact factors that triggered the collapse.
The ministers clarified that the observations made so far were only preliminary and that conclusions would be drawn only after an expert assessment. However, Anilkumar stressed that those responsible would not be allowed to evade accountability.
Public Works Department Minister P K Basheer said the government would constitute an expert committee to examine the causes of the landslide. Based on its findings, the state government will decide on further action after consultations with Chief Minister V D Satheesan.
Basheer also made it clear that the government has no plans to abandon the tunnel project connecting Wayanad and Kozhikode. Instead, it aims to continue the project in a safe and systematic manner while ensuring such incidents do not recur.
The landslide struck the tunnel road construction site near Meenakshi Bridge on July 7, killing three migrant workers and injuring several others. Search and rescue operations are continuing in the affected area.
