Wayanad tunnel road project moves forward: Bhopal firm wins Rs 1,341 crore contract

Thiruvambady (Kozhikode): The state government is advancing with the Wayanad tunnel road (Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel) project. On Thursday, the tender for the construction was handed over to Dilip Buildcon, a company based in Bhopal. The contract, valued at Rs 1,341 crore, follows bids from 13 companies.

Kolkata-based Royal Infra construction company has secured the contract for building the bridge across Iruvazhinji Puzha. This contract is worth Rs 80.4 crore. Linto Joseph, MLA, stated that work on the project will begin as soon as the contracts are signed and tenders are finalised.

The new road will connect the districts of Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Wayanad, leading to comprehensive development in the high range areas. The route starts at Maripuzha in Anakkampoyil in the Thiruvambadi Panchayat and ends at the Kalladi Meenakshi Bridge in Wayanad. The 8.11 km twin tunnel will be the third-longest in the country, featuring four lanes, each ten metres wide, and 300 metres of cross passages to manage traffic in emergencies.

The state government had given final approval for the tunnel in February 2022. Administrative approval of Rs 2,043.74 crore was already granted, with the Konkan Railway Corporation overseeing the construction.

Despite concerns raised by environmental organisations following the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide disaster, there is strong support for the tunnel from both ruling and opposition parties. A few politicians here and there have voiced concerns, but most support the project. Land acquisition for the tunnel in Wayanad and Kozhikode was completed months ago, with compensation already provided.