Thiruvananthapuram

Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan on Wednesday said he had faced severe criticism from the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for opposing the Wayanad Twin Tunnel Project without a comprehensive environmental impact assessment, asserting that he had only sought greater caution given the ecological sensitivity of the Western Ghats.

Addressing the media, Satheesan said he had consistently maintained that the tunnel project should not proceed without a detailed environmental study and alleged that the CPI(M) had portrayed him as "anti-development" for raising concerns.

"I was the person who faced the most criticism over this issue. I had consistently said that the project should not proceed without a serious environmental impact assessment. Wayanad, being part of the Western Ghats, is an extremely sensitive and fragile region. The CPI(M) accused me of trying to derail the Wayanad tunnel project and branded me as anti-development. I only said that such a project in such a sensitive area should be executed with utmost caution," the Chief Minister said.

Satheesan said the state government would now examine whether the environmental safeguards attached to the project had been followed.

"Earlier, a state-level study had reportedly concluded that the project should not be taken up. The Central Government had also initially declined approval. Later, the state government insisted on proceeding, and the Centre granted environmental clearance subject to around nine stringent conditions. That is why we have said the government must first examine what exactly happened," he said.

His remarks came hours after the Keralam Cabinet decided to order two separate investigations into the landslide at the Kalladi tunnel construction site in Wayanad, which has claimed three lives while five others remain missing.

Addressing a press conference following the Cabinet meeting, Satheesan said the government would initiate both technical and legal proceedings to determine the circumstances that led to the accident.

"Today's Cabinet meeting evaluated the tragedy in Wayanad and reviewed all reports received so far. It has been decided to initiate technical and legal proceedings to investigate the circumstances that led to this accident. In addition, preliminary reports suggest that another landslide occurred just above this site. Further decisions will be made after looking into that as well," he said.

The Chief Minister said one investigation would focus on the cause of the landslide, while another would examine whether the environmental clearance conditions imposed by the Centre for the tunnel project had been complied with.

"The central government had granted environmental clearance for this tunnel construction project with strict instructions. Whether the contractors followed them will be examined. Work will resume only after assessing all accident risks; until then, construction remains suspended. Two separate investigations will be conducted: one into the cause of the accident and another into whether environmental clearance guidelines were followed," Satheesan said.

The landslide struck the tunnel construction site at Kalladi in Meppadi Grama Panchayat at around 11:15 am on Tuesday, burying large sections of the worksite under an estimated 7 to 10 feet of mud and debris.

Rescue operations entered the second day on Wednesday with personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Fire and Rescue Services, Civil Defence and Kerala Police continuing the search for the five missing workers.

According to officials, road connectivity to the disaster site has been restored, enabling the movement of heavy machinery and rescue equipment. Authorities have divided the affected area into four operational zones to expedite search efforts.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Wayanad, forecasting heavy rainfall at isolated places, while police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigation into the incident is underway.