Special Correspondent
KOZHIKODE/WAYANAD:
In a major infrastructure development for Kerala, the long-awaited Anakkampoil–Kalladi–Meppadi tunnel road project, connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad districts, has received environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). With this critical approval now in hand, the Kerala government is making swift preparations to begin construction by next month.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is expected to inaugurate the construction works, according to local MLA Linto Joseph, who made the announcement publicly.
“Now that the central environmental clearance has been granted, the government is moving without delay. The foundation stone for the tunnel works will be laid by the Chief Minister next month,” Linto Joseph confirmed to the media.
Project Details:
Route: Anakkampoil (Kozhikode) – Kalladi – Meppadi (Wayanad)
Total Estimated Cost: ₹2,134 crore
Implementing Agencies: Tripartite agreement between Kerala Public Works Department (PWD), Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), and Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd.
Construction Contractors:
Dilip Buildcon Ltd. (based in Bhopal)
Royal Infrastructures (based in Kolkata)
The tunnel, once completed, is expected to drastically reduce travel time between Kozhikode and Wayanad, bypassing the ecologically sensitive and landslide-prone Thamarassery Ghat Road. The route is especially important for uninterrupted transportation during monsoon seasons, as frequent landslides have caused long-standing issues in the existing route.
Clearance Confirmation:
As per official sources and corroborated by regional government representatives, MoEFCC granted the final environmental clearance earlier this month, after reviewing the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and related studies submitted by the state.
The project had already completed tendering processes and contractor selection well in advance, awaiting only central-level clearance to proceed with actual ground work.
Strategic and Environmental Considerations:
The project incorporates eco-friendly tunneling techniques to minimize disruption to the Western Ghats ecosystem.
Tunnel length: Approximately 8.5 km (making it the longest road tunnel in Kerala upon completion).
The route is also expected to improve emergency response, trade, and tourism across the region.
Next Steps:
Construction activities, including site mobilization and machinery setup, are expected to commence by mid-July 2025. Full-scale tunnel boring and civil works will follow, subject to weather conditions and forest clearance compliance.
This development comes after years of public demand, environmental debates, and inter-departmental coordination. The Kerala government has positioned this project as a flagship example of balancing development with environmental responsibility.
