Kannur, 26 August (H.S.): Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday criticised the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) over the landslide at Elayavoor in Kannur, alleging lapses in the planning and execution of the national highway project.

Vijayan said the Centre had earlier assured the Kerala government that national highway construction in the state would be carried out in a manner suited to its terrain and geographical conditions. However, the recurring landslides along the construction corridor raised questions about whether scientific and geological studies had been conducted before work began, he said.

The contracting company has claimed that the highway was constructed only after completing the necessary studies. Vijayan, however, pointed out that Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari had acknowledged that there were flaws in the design of the national highway project.

The Opposition Leader said the NHAI had failed to take remedial measures even after a landslide was reported in the same area in 2023. The latest incident, he said, showed that the warning signs had not been taken seriously and that preventive steps were not implemented.

He called upon the authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the landslide and examine whether defects in the highway's design, slope protection measures or drainage system had contributed to the incident.

Vijayan said the immediate priority should be to secure the affected area and ensure that no further accident occurs. Authorities must inspect other vulnerable stretches of the highway and introduce additional safety measures wherever necessary, he added.

The Opposition Leader also demanded a detailed scientific study that takes into account Kerala's soil conditions, rainfall pattern, slopes and overall topography. Future highway construction and repair work should be undertaken strictly on the basis of the study's findings, he said, stressing that development projects should not compromise public safety.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman