Kerala CM inaugurates Wayanad tunnel project, paving way for Malabar’s dream run

Thamarassery: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the construction of the Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi tunnel road, a key infrastructure project expected to accelerate development in the Malabar region. The ceremony was held at 4 pm at St Mary’s School Ground in Anakkampoyil.

The tunnel will be Kerala’s longest and the third-longest twin-tube road tunnel in India. It spans 5.58 km in Wayanad district and 3.15 km in Kozhikode district, linking the Murippuzha–Muthappanpuzha–Anakkampoyil road in Kozhikode with the Meppadi–Kalladi–Chooralmala road in Wayanad.

Out of the total 8.73 km project length, 8.11 km will be twin tunnels. The project is expected to be completed in four years and will remarkably reduce travel hardship for residents and commuters in Wayanad.

The Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) is the implementing agency. Around 33 hectares of land across Kozhikode and Wayanad districts have been acquired for the project, including forest land already handed over. Nearly 90% of private land acquisition has been completed.

The inauguration event was attended by Public Works Minister P A Mohamed Riyas, Finance Minister K N Balagopal, Forest Minister A K Saseendran, SC/ST Welfare Minister O R Kelu and MLAs T Siddique, Linto Joseph and P T A Rahim.