THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after a dental student died of a stray rock from a tipper lorry meant for Vizhinjam International Port, the General Education Minister V Sivankutty directed the district collector to submit a report on the safety concerns raised by the public. He visited the house of the victim Ananthu B Ajikumar at Mukkola near the port.
The lorry was on its way to the Vizhinam International Seaport when the freak accident took place. The minister said the safety of the public cannot be compromised for the construction of the seaport.
“It is the government's position that the construction of Vizhinjam port should be completed as soon as possible. But in this regard, the safety of the people cannot be compromised. Any construction work that does not comply with safety standards will not be permitted,” said Sivankutty.
He also directed the Adani Group to pay compensation to Ananthu’s family after as the victim was a ray of hope for the family. He assured that the government would also offer assistance to the family, after consulting with the Chief Minister.
Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil and Mayor Arya Rajendran also visited the house named Ananthu Bhavan.
Ananthu was just three months away from becoming a dentist before his life was snuffed out in the accident. He is survived by father Ajikumar, mother P S Bindu and sister Aruna.
The body was kept at his college, Noorul Islam College of Dental Sciences in Neyyattinkara, for his batchmates to pay tribute. The body was cremated at a crematorium in Muttathara on Wednesday. District Collector Geromic George visited the house and met the parents in the evening.