The Hindu : Kerala News : Probe into construction site accident ordered

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Monday, Jan 28, 2008
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Kerala

Probe into construction site accident ordered

Kalpetta: The State government on Sunday ordered a detailed probe into the incident in which three persons were buried alive after mounds of earth caved in at a canal construction site in Wayanad district.

“Preliminary reports point to lack of safety measures at the site and a team led by Principal Secretary K. Jayakumar will probe into it,” Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran told reporters after visiting the area at Padinnarethara.

Strong action

He also said that those who were found responsible for the incident would be punished.

Besides finding out the cause of the incident, the probe would look into the reported delay in the implementation of the Banasurasagar Irrigation Project, works for which were going on at the site when the earth caved in, trapping three workers, the Water Resources Minister said.

The team has been asked to submit a detailed report in two months, the Minister said adding District Collector P. P. Gopi would also submit another report in the next two days.

While Fire Force and police personnel recovered the body of one person soon after the incident, two more bodies were retrieved around midnight on Saturday.

The police have filed a case of culpable homicide against the contractors, Mr. Premachandransaid.

Relief

Forest Minister Benoy Viswom, who accompanied Mr. Premachandran, said the State Cabinet on Wednesday would decide on the quantum of relief to be given to the kin of the deceased.

It would also deliberate on the safety measures to be followed strictly while undertaking such works. – PTI

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