The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to submit a report on the landslide tragedy that occurred at Adimaly on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway on October 15, 2025. Commission Chairman Alexander Thomas issued the order after an Idukki district inquiry found that the tragedy was caused by NHAI road widening.
The commission has given NHAI one month to report on the action taken in connection with the incident. The order follows a report by the District Collector holding the NHAI responsible for providing compensation to those affected by the mudslide.
The District Collector informed the commission that NHAI has to provide rental assistance to 27 families who are currently staying in the camps till they receive the insurance payout. In addition, if the insurance money is not enough to secure new land and housing, the authority must pay the remaining balance. The Collector’s report also said that NHAI should provide ₹15,000 to those returning home from relief camps.
The commission’s directive further requires the NHAI to clarify whether it has followed the instructions of the Collector. If not, the authority must state the reasons. The report must also include the number of dead, the number of injured, the total compensation distributed so far, and lists of those who have received or are still awaiting payment.
Meanwhile, the Adimaly panchayat secretary was directed to report on the actions taken on the Collector’s orders. The District Collector has also been directed to submit a report verifying whether NHAI and the panchayat secretary have implemented these guidelines.
Representatives of the collector’s office, the NHAI project director and the panchayat secretary are required to appear before the commission during its session in Thiruvananthapuram on June 6 to pursue the matter further.
Published – 15 May 2026 19:48 IST
