Balaramapuram well safety has become the subject of a Kerala State Human Rights Commission directive after a dangerous well on Hantex-owned land caused a neighbouring compound wall and around 1.5 cents of land to collapse. The commission has directed Hantex’s managing director to construct a protective wall around the well to prevent further damage and accidents.
The order followed a complaint filed by a woman from AKG Nagar in Peroorkada, whose property adjoins the Hantex land in Balaramapuram. According to the complaint, the well had become dangerous after the collapse, allowing part of her compound and land to cave in and fall into it.
SHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas said Hantex could not avoid responsibility by citing financial difficulties. The commission said that if the organisation failed to act, the complainant could approach the competent court.
Hantex told the commission that it had written to the district collector on September 26, 2023, seeking financial assistance under the disaster management plan to address the condition of the well. The organisation said no action had been taken on that request.
A report submitted by Hantex also stated that its governing body had decided at a meeting on September 9, 2024, to submit a proposal to the district panchayat to convert the well into a swimming pool with the district panchayat’s assistance. The possibility of using the well for a drinking water project was also considered.
Those alternatives did not resolve the immediate safety issue. The Balaramapuram grama panchayat secretary informed the commission that the Kerala Water Authority had found the proposed drinking water project unfeasible. The district panchayat secretary said converting the well into a swimming pool was not possible because the land on which it stood had not been transferred to the district panchayat.
The case also brought several levels of administration into the response to a hazard located on privately owned institutional land. Reports submitted to the commission said a meeting convened under the leadership of the district collector had decided that Hantex should protect the dangerous well by constructing a wall.
The SHRC has now directed Hantex to take the necessary measures to prevent further damage and ensure public safety. The order places the immediate responsibility for securing the site on the organisation while leaving the complainant with the option of seeking judicial intervention if the directive is not followed.
