Construction began in August 2025, but the government has said it is not seeking to abandon the project. A decision on resuming work will be taken after the committee reviews its findings and confirms whether construction can proceed with adequate safeguards. Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government would be responsible if an accident occurred during construction, while restarting work without proper scrutiny after an accident could invite allegations of negligence.
The review follows a major landslide in the Kalladi tunnel road area in July 2026. The committee is examining the possibility of further landslides, slope stability, groundwater conditions, rainfall impacts and the effects of construction activity. Its assessment will also consider whether the project complies with conditions attached to its environmental clearance from the Union environment ministry.
The government has raised concerns about supervision at the site, saying no designated agency was overseeing construction. The Public Works Department had not been assigned that responsibility, according to Satheesan, who said work could not continue without effective controls and compliance with the environmental clearance conditions. The concerns highlight the need for clear institutional responsibility in environmentally sensitive and landslide-prone terrain.
The expert committee has held several meetings and sought multiple reports. A meeting with Konkan Railway Corporation was scheduled as part of the review, after which the panel is expected to submit its report. Satheesan also rejected claims that he opposed the tunnel road, saying he had urged an environmental impact study because the area had fragile soil and faced risks from heavy rainfall. The government’s next decision will depend on the committee’s findings.