Expert team visits Kalladi site to assess debris removal

Two members of the expert team formed by the Kerala government to examine the removal of excavation debris accumulated in front of the Kalladi tunnel site in Wayanad district visited the debris slide site on Wednesday.

The team comprised Professor Santhosh G. Thampi, National Institute of Technology, Calicut, and scientist K. Sreelash, National Center for Earth Sciences Research, Thiruvananthapuram. The teams inspected the area where the debris fell, the construction area of ​​the tunnel road and the area where the excavation soil was spilled. Mr. Thampi later told the media that they also planned to check the aerial view of the area. Since it had not rained for the last few days, conditions appeared conducive to removing the debris. He added that the committee will examine the region in detail and submit a report to the government within a week.

The expert team also included Public Works and Geology departments, Konkan Railway Company and Dilip Buildcon Ltd, the construction company carrying out tunnel road work. He also held meetings with officials. An inspection was carried out in the area where the company dumped soil and rubble from the construction site. The team checked the metal pieces recovered from the Meenakshi River following the debris slide on July 7. He also examined vehicles and concrete fragments found in the river. Special Secretary for Disaster Management K. Jeevan Babu also visited the disaster area on Wednesday.