Wayanad Landslides: Central Govt Submits Final Disaster Management Plan Before Kerala High Court, Seeks Time For Decision On Loan Waiver

Complying with a June 2025 order of the Kerala High Court, the Central Government on Wednesday (September 10) submitted the final version of Disaster Management Plan comprising of two volumes–the first is 'Overview and Disaster Management Sub-Plan for Highways' and second pertains to 'Disaster Management Sub-Plan for Road Accidents'. The plan was submitted before a division bench of Dr. Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian which was considering the suo-motu case initiated in the aftermath of large-scale landslides that hit Wayanad on July 30, 2024. The Court has been actively monitoring the rehabilitation activities undertaken by the State and the support offered by the Centre since then.On 13.6.2025, the Court had directed Union Govt to frame a comprehensive Disaster Management Plan for the NHAI, so that there is a disaster preparedness that would aid such operations across the country.During the hearing on Wednesday, on the issue of loan waiver of victims, the Additional Solicitor General of India ARL Sundaresan appearing for Centre submitted that there is some ambiguity with regard to the Ministry that has to take a decision on the issue.He submitted that the matter will be sorted out in consultation with the ASG and a final decision will be taken within three weeks. While expressing regret for the delay he prayed that this matter may be listed after three weeks for the affidavit of the Union Government clarifying their stand on the issue of waiver of bank loans.Accordingly, the Court granted three weeks' time to take a final decision regarding the same.It orally added, "Put a quietus to this. It is not a significant amount of money when compared to what is already being done by the state government and ultimately, this is in the larger interest of the federal principles also."Regarding recovery proceedings against loans taken, the Court orally said "There is no recovery being done now. If there is any recovery being resorted to, you can bring it to our notice." It had earlier directed that no coercive steps shall be taken against Wayanad landslide victims who defaulted on loan till Centre decides on waiver.The matter is posted on October 8 for the final decision of the Union government regarding loan waiver.Case Title: In Re: Prevention And Management Of Natural Disasters In Kerala v. State Of KeralaCase Number: WP(C) 28509/ 2024 & Connected CasesClick to Read/Download OrderClick to Read/Download Order Dated 13.06.2025

Wayanad Landslides: Central Govt Submits Final Disaster Management Plan Before Kerala High Court, Seeks Time For Decision On Loan Waiver

K. Salma Jennath

Tags