All About Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road Project

Good news for travellers to Wayanad!

The proposed Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road Project has received the green flag from the Kerala Chief Minster's office to commence the construction work. The authorities proclaimed to start the construction works by early January 2024, which will be completed within 5 years.

The blueprint for the Kozhikode-Wayand Tunnel Road project was unveiled by Pinarayi Vijayan, The Hon. Chief Minister of Kerala state of India, on October 16, 2020. The idea of carving out a tunnel across the Western Ghats was laid-out by George M Thomas, the former MLA of Thiruvambady, resolving the traffic issues in Wayanad Ghat Road.

Hope has emerged for the people of Wayanad! Alternative to the Wayanad Ghat Road(NH-766), the Kerala State Government has issued the commencement for the most-awaited tunnel road project in Wayanad.

Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road - An Overview

The South-Indian state of Kerala will be receiving its next tunnel project in Wayanad - The Kozhikode-Wayand Tunnel Road. The Wayanad Tunnel Road will be a twin-tube tunnel road, considered to be the longest underpass in India, running a total distance of 8.17 km. It will be connecting Marippuzha in Thiruvambady hill town in Kozhikode to Meppadi in Wayanad District of Kerala. The construction of the tunnel will be undertaken by the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited(KRCL) and Arun Gosh, the PRO, KRCL states that the completion of the Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road will be completed within 5 years after the start of construction of the tunnel.

A separate approach road will be constructed from Thiruvambady to Marippuzha, having a total distance of 17.5km, which has already begun its construction work, receiving the first budget of Rs. 108 Cr. The construction work for this approach road has been allotted to the Uralungaal Labour Contract Society. The total budget allotted for the Kozhiode-Wayanad Tunnel Project is Rs. 2149 Cr. The construction of Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road will be commencing by January 2024.

Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road - Land Acquisition Process

One of the prominent CPI(M) leaders, Linto Joseph, the current MLA OF Thiruvambady, proclaimed that the land acquisition process of the Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road will be over within one-month duration. The final notice has been issued to the land owner regarding the completion of the land acquisition process.

The state government must accrue 17.263 hectares of total land to commence the Wayanad Tunnel Road construction process. 7.40 hectors of the total land has already been identified along the small villages under South Wayanad Forest Division, including Manalvayal, Kollivayal, Chullikkad, and Madaparambu The funding regarding the land acquisition process of Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road has already ready to be distributed among the land owners.

Major Aspects of Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road

With the introduction of the Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road, the people of Wayanad and the visitors to Wayanad will be eased with the issue of traffic congestion in the Thamarassery Churam, the Wayanad Ghat Road of NH-766. Below are some of the major changes that the Wayand Tunnel Road will bring to the table with its inception:

1. A resolute remedy for the Traffic Congestion on Wayanad Ghat Road - NH 766:

The Wayanad Ghat Road, AKA Thamarassery Churam, was the easy route for the people of Wayanad in order to access the railway, airport and infrastructures. Known for being one of the major accident zones in South India, a small accident on Wayanad Ghat Road was enough to cause major traffic on the road, and resolving it was the major issue.

There was a time when the road was being immobile for days due to a minor accident on Wayanad Ghat Road. The tourists visiting Wayanad have also experienced this major issue. Now, with the inception of the Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road, the Ghat Road can rest at ease. The major issue of traffic snarls on Ghat Road will be resolved at a major rate with the introduction of the Wayanad Tunnel Road.

Due to the sensitive topography of the Western Ghats, the Wayanad Tunnel Road will be narrow and parallel to the Ghat Road, according to the survey conducted in September 2020 on the Wayanad Tunnel Road.

The Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road is going to be a dream project that facilitates and ensures multi-level development for the District of Wayanad. By resolving the major traffic congestion on Ghat Road, the Tunnel Road in Wayanad possesses the potential to facilitate higher resolution for Wayanad.

2. Improved Connectivity:

The Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road pins higher hopes on improvising better connectivity and accessibility for the travellers and locales of Wayanad alike. Fostering the aspects of exceptional connectivity between Kozhikode and Wayanad, the Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road will be executing improved and effective connectivity.

The traffic congestion on Ghat Road for accessing the airport and railway at Kozhikode has always been a major issue on the Ghat Road of Wayanad. Both the effective connectivity and the expected tourism productivity, the Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road will be ensuring the best possibility for the Wayanad District of Kerala.

3. Encouraging Tourism in Wayanad:

The Wayanad Tourism industry has faced many drawbacks due to the issues falling under the Ghat Road and the accessibility. The flow of tourism in Wayand has been affected by the traffic congestion on Ghat Road of Wayanad. Travellers struggle to enjoy a nice ride along the Wayanad Ghat Road, the Thamarassery Churam.

The Ghat road passes through some of the scenic terrains of Wayanad. Enjoying a ride itself through the roads of Wayanad has become a drastic concern with its mobility and other disputes. The travellers cannot enjoy Wayanad as a whole due to these issues. Resolving this will be one of the major countering that will be given for the fall of the Wayanad Tourisum Industry.

The proposed Kozhikode Wayanad Tunnel Road will be passing through the forests and sensitive hills of the Western Ghats, offering tourists an experience that is worth a lifetime. This dream project will definitely be going to improve the prospects of Wayanad Tourism.

There you go, travellers! Look for the bright light at the end of the tunnel and behold the scenic beauty of Wayanad in all its glory.

That's it, folks. These are all you need to know about the proposed Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road Project. Share your opinions below in the comment section!

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