Room for 'technical error' very limited in Wayanad landslide: Dilip Buildcon

New Delhi, Jul 7(PTI) Infrastructure company Dilip Buildcon on Tuesday ruled out any technical error that could have led to a landslide at the Anakkampoyil–Kalladi– Meppadi tunnel project site in Wayanad, Kerala, that killed at least three people, while injuring 10 others. Dilip Buildcon, in a regulatory filing, said that the project is being executed in strict compliance with all applicable engineering, safety and environmental approvals and protocols. "Given its location in an ecologically sensitive region, the project is subject to multiple regulatory oversight and monitoring mechanisms, including supervision by the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee, and all excavated material is handled in accordance with the approved methodology," it said. A video clip showed the mound of mud, accumulated near the Meenakshi Bridge, suddenly collapsing due to the rain, bringing down trees and blowing away the metal and cloth barricades set up at the construction site. "With such additional and strict compliance procedures, the room for technical error remains very limited,"Dilip Buildcon said. Meanwhile, Chief Minister V D Satheesan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that the contractors had been told much in advance by the Public Works Department Minister P K Basheer and the District Collector to remove the huge quantity of mud accumulated in the area. "However, the contractors did not abide by the directions," the CM said after reviewing the situation with officials of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) at their office. According to officials, the landslide occurred at Kalladi, where work on a tunnel road project connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad districts was under way. Dilip Buildcon said the incident occurred during an active monsoon spell, amid exceptionally heavy rainfall in Wayanad. "We remain fully committed to cooperating with the investigation and will continue to share verified information as it becomes available. "Our focus remains on supporting the rescue efforts and standing with the affected families during this difficult time," the company said. The construction of the twin-tube tunnels at Wayanad was awarded to Bhopal-based Dilip Buildcon Limited, while the contract for certain approach road and bridge works was awarded to Kolkata-based Royal Infrastructure (Royal Infra Construction), under the Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi tunnel road project being implemented by Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL). PTI BKS HVA