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Public anger erupted at Kumbanpara, where a recent landslip claimed a life and seriously injured one, over the ‘failure of the government’ in providing timely support and financial assistance to those affected. Eight families were left homeless in the accident on the stretch of the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway, which was being widened. The landslip near Adimaly on the highway to Munnar on Saturday claimed the life of a Laksham Veedu Colony resident, Biju, and seriously injured his wife Sandhya. The doctors amputated her left leg on Tuesday. According to doctors, both her legs had sustained severe injuries, and blood circulation to one leg had stopped, leading to the emergency amputation. The relatives of Biju and the affected families alleged that the district administration and the government were apathetic to their plight. Bill of ₹3.5 lakh Manoj M.K., a relative of Biju, said the families had lost their life savings. “The government authorities failed to provide financial assistance and other support to the affected families. The hospital has issued a bill of over ₹3.5 lakh to the injured woman. The family will not be able to settle the bill. The government should announce a package for the affected people,” said Mr. Manoj. The local body, Adimaly panchayat, demanded that the government provide compensation to the families and relocate them from the risky area. Panchayat vice president Anas Ibrahim said the government should rehabilitate 22 families facing landslip threat in the area. “We were told that an expert team had recommended that the families be allowed to remain in the area. If the place is safe, the Subcollector should stay there for a day. The district administration has invited the families’ representatives to the collectorate on Friday to meet the Revenue Minister. It indicates that the Minister is not willing to visit the landslip-hit place,” alleged Mr. Ibrahim. Meeting today District Collector Dineshan Cheruvatt said the district administration would convene a meeting at the Idukki collectorate on Thursday to discuss issues pertaining to compensation and rehabilitation. “Based on the study report of a special team, the district administration will submit a detailed rehabilitation plan to the government,” said Mr. Cheruvatt. “The district administration has directed the NHAI to settle the medical expenses of the seriously injured woman,” he added. Company’s stance According to sources in the company contracted by the NHAI for the work, the district administration was yet to determine the compensation package for the affected families. “Once the package is fixed, the company is ready to provide it. The company will meet the medical expenses of the injured woman and is also providing food and other items to the affected families,” said the source. National Highway Protection Council convener Rasak Chooravelil said the road widening works were ongoing in the area without a proper Detailed Project Report (DPR) or environmental impact assessment study, and it resulted in the tragedy.
