Thrissur: In view of the ongoing protest by people residing near the one-kilometre-long Kuthiran twin tunnel on the six-lane tollway between Manuthy and Vadakkencherry, a committee headed by Additional District Magistrate (ADM) was formed on Friday to verify the damage that occurred during blasts carried out for the construction of the tunnels. The committee was formed at a meeting held at Pananchery and Peechi Panchayat office on instructions given by Collector A Kowsigan. On Friday, ADM CK Ananthakrishnan held talks with local people, politicians and set up the committee.
Complaints about the damage will be received at Pananchery village office from Saturday till October 10. After receiving the complaints, a team of officials led by the ADM will conduct field visits to the houses of complainants to verify the damage. The construction of the twin tunnel had been put on hold for a week as the residents - and representatives of the civic body – protested saying that the power of the blast, carried out by the contractor round the clock at the tunnel site, was too loud and they could not sleep at night.
Besides demanding that blasts be stopped at night, they also wanted more compensation for damage to their houses. The committee consists of Pananchery ward member, panchayat secretary, deputy thashildar, village extension officer, village officers of Peechi and Pananchery villages, and representatives of the National Highway Authority of India and engineers of Pragathi Engineering company, NHAI’s contractor carrying out the construction of the tunnel.
