The massive landslide in Wayanad, Kerala has once again sparked a debate on the balance between development and environment. Three people died in this accident, while seven people were injured. After the accident, State Agriculture Minister T Siddique has raised questions on the Rs 2,134 crore Anakkampoyil-Kallady-Meppadi Tunnel project, calling it a “man-made disaster”. They allege that the soil and debris from the tunnel construction was disposed of in an unscientific manner, due to which this accident occurred. However, the administration has not yet officially confirmed this and the investigation is ongoing. In such a situation, the biggest question is whether it was just a natural disaster or construction work also played a role in it. Let us know the whole story of this entire controversy and the tunnel project.
What happened in Wayanad?
On Tuesday, a landslide occurred at the construction site of Malappuram-Wayanad Tunnel Project in Kallady area of Wayanad. The soil taken out of the tunnel slipped due to continuous rain, due to which trees were uprooted and barricades were washed away. In the CCTV footage that surfaced, at 11.15 am on July 7, debris that came with the strong current is seen carrying away a tanker. Three people died in the accident, seven people were injured and two people were trapped in the debris. After this, teams of Police, Fire and Rescue Service and NDRF started relief and rescue operations.
Why did the minister call it a man-made disaster?
Kerala Agriculture Minister T Siddique says that this accident could not have happened only due to natural reasons. According to him, the soil and debris extracted during the excavation of the tunnel project was dumped in an unscientific manner, which increased the risk of landslides. He claimed that this issue had been raised earlier also in the meetings of Konkan officials and warnings had been given. Despite this, necessary steps were not taken.
What is the Rs 2,134 crore tunnel project?
The Anakkampoyil-Kallady-Meppadi Tunnel Project is among the biggest road projects in Kerala. Its estimated cost is Rs 2,134 crore. Its objective is to provide fast and safe road connectivity between Kozhikode and Wayanad. After the completion of the project, dependence on the landslide affected Thamarassery Ghat Road will reduce and people will get an alternative route. The government believes that this will make movement between the two districts easier and the travel time will also reduce.
How long is the tunnel and who got the responsibility of construction?
This project is based on about 8.73 km long twin tube tunnel, in which two lanes are being built separately for both the directions. When completed, it will be India’s third longest tunnel. After the construction of the tunnel, the distance between Anakkampoyil and Meppadi will reduce from about 42 kilometers to 20 to 22 kilometers. This is expected to reduce the travel time by about 45 to 60 minutes. This work is being done on EPC model.
Why do landslides occur frequently in Wayanad?
Wayanad is located in the north-eastern part of Kerala and is the only plateau area in the state. There are high and low hills covered with soil, rocks and dense trees and plants, due to which there is always a danger of landslides. According to the report of Geological Survey of India (2021), about 43 percent of the area of Kerala is affected by landslides, while 51 percent of the land of Wayanad is located on the hill slopes. This is the reason why there is a greater possibility of landslides here.
The Wayanad Plateau is located in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 700 to 2,100 meters. During monsoon, winds coming from the Arabian Sea hit the Western Ghats and rise, causing heavy rains in the region. The Kabini River, which flows through Wayanad, and its tributary Mananthavady River, which originates from the Thondaramudi peak, swell after continuous rains and landslides. This increases the risk of floods in rivers and causes huge damage in the surrounding areas.
Why are environmentalists protesting?
This project has been opposed from the beginning by environmental experts and conservation groups. He says that the tunnel is passing through a sensitive area of the Western Ghats, where incidents of floods and landslides have occurred several times in the last few years. He believes that large-scale construction work can affect the natural balance of this area. For this reason, environmental concerns have been continuously raised regarding the project.
Why did the matter reach the Supreme Court?
There was also a legal battle regarding the project. This year the Supreme Court refused to ban the tunnel construction. Earlier, the Kerala High Court had upheld the environmental clearance given to the project. The court had said that the regulatory bodies have set necessary conditions related to safety and environment. If there is any dispute regarding their compliance, then it can be raised before the National Green Tribunal i.e. NGT.
Is the tunnel project the cause of the accident?
At present there is no official answer to this. Agriculture Minister T Siddique has blamed tunnel construction and soil disposal for the accident, but the administration has not yet confirmed this claim. Officials say that at present relief and rescue operations are the biggest priority. Only after the investigation is completed, it will be clear whether the landslide occurred due to natural causes or construction work also played a role in it.
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