Wayanad tunnel: Experts question green clearance, cite lack of proper studies
Kozhikode: The expert appraisal committee (EAC) decided to grant environmental clearance (EC) to the Rs 2,134-crore Wayanad tunnel road project by laying down 60 conditions—despite acknowledging a month ago that the tunnel would pass through vulnerable, landslide-prone terrain.
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This has raised serious concerns, including questions about the reliability of the studies used to justify EC and the inadequacy of proposed mitigation measures.
At its first meeting on April 4, EAC deferred clearance citing several issues. It raised concerns that blasting vibrations could affect surrounding areas and nearby structures and said a detailed study was needed to assess if the project could worsen landslide risks.
EAC specifically asked for an evaluation based on recent landslide events in the region including their causes and impacts. However, the final clearance report does not mention any new study that carried out a detailed evaluation as suggested.
The only new study in the final report, titled Geological and Geomorphological Features of Proposed Anakkampoyil-Meppadi Tunnel Alignment and Impact Area, was done by K Soman, a retired scientist from Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram.
The other two studies mentioned in the clearance report—a geotechnical investigation and a water drainage study—were done earlier during preparation of the detailed project report.
The final EC agenda report only said that state expert appraisal committee, while recommending environmental clearance in March, advised micro-scale mapping of landslide-prone zones to enable regular monitoring and prevent activities that could further destabilise the land.
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The report also said that Konkan Railway, on behalf of the project proponent, passed on these requirements to Geological Survey of India and approached it to carry out necessary investigations.
Environmental scientist and former water resources department director V Subhash Chandra Bose said this could be the first time EC was granted to a project with so many conditions. "That alone shows the risks involved in the project.
What they have overlooked is that the project area falls in a region the state govt classified as high-risk for landslides and the project goes against the principle that activities causing disturbances should not happen in such areas," he added.
Bose questioned the reliability of doing studies after deciding to go ahead with a project, saying such studies only aim to clear the way for it.
Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samiti president N Badusha said the state got clearance for the project from MOEF using false information.
He added that EAC used a similar approach to approve the project without proper multidisciplinary studies to assess landslide risks in the mountainous area, especially after recent cloudburst events.
"Some recent ECs given by MOEF bodies, including the one for Great Nicobar Island Development Project, sand sea mining and mega tourism in Lakshadweep islands, show how the process is weakened and staged. EC for the Wayanad tunnel is the latest example," he said.
Samiti plans to approach HC or other bodies within 10 days to challenge MOEF's clearance for the project. Badusha added that most conditions set by EAC are vague, unclear and impractical.
"For example, EAC recommended monitoring the endangered Banasura Chilappan bird. But monitoring does not help when tunnelling destroys its mountain habitat. Will they stop the project if monitoring shows the bird has been displaced? Many other recommendations also just call for more monitoring without real action," he added.
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