Kozhikode–Wayanad Tunnel Road

Kozhikode–Wayanad Tunnel Road is a proposed twin-tube tunnel road project in the South Indian state of Kerala. The proposed tunnel, which is being described as the third longest underpass in India would run through the sensitive hills and forests of the Western Ghats.^[1] It would provide an alternate route between Kozhikode and Wayanad and will reduce the distance between Anakkampoil and Meppady from 42 kilometres to less than 20 kilometres. The tunnel road is also expected to lead to a better economic growth and development in the region. Once the construction is completed, the distance between Kochi and Bengaluru would be shortened, and the districts of Wayanad and Kozhikode will be linked without crossing the Thamarassery Churam. Konkan Railway was appointed as SPV for tunnel project by Kerala Government. On 2024 September, Konkan Railway opened tenders for project and out of 7 bids Dilip Buildcon Limited awarded the project for INR 1341 crore with a construction period of 4 years. Approach Bridge at Iruvanjippuzha tender awarded to Royal Infra Construct at 80.4 crores. ^[2]

The tunnel road project is one of 30 significant projects in Kerala that the chief minister has directly reviewed. It is considered significant since it easily connects business, industrial, and tourism areas such as Bengaluru and Mysuru with Kerala. The existing route via the Thamarassery Ghat is time-consuming and frequently disrupted by landslides and rain, making the tunnel road a much-needed option. The Ghat is the most direct route for Wayanad residents to reach railway station, airports and super specialised hospitals. A little accident or technical problem in a vehicle, on the other hand, could cause hours of traffic congestion on the road. The new tunnel road is expected to reduce this traffic congestion in Thamarassery Ghat and also improve the cargo transit from Karnataka.^[3]

The twin-tube tunnel's entire length will be 8.17 kilometres, with the Swargam Kunnu-Kalladi section covering 6.8 km. The estimated cost of the project is nearly 1500 crores. In September 2020, the tunnel construction survey began. In lieu of the land used for the project, the state government is required by the Central Ministry to plant trees on 17.263 hectares and declare them as reserve forest. The state government must complete this task and notify the Central Ministry within five years.^[4]

Kerala Government announced this will be State Highway 83 connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad Districts which will be an alternative route for Thamarassery Ghat. Proposed route will be through Kozhikode - Kunnamangalam - NIT - Mukkam - Thiruvambady - Anakkampoyil - Kalladi - Meppadi - Kalpetta. Central Government also announced a Greenfield Highway is planning connecting Kozhikode and Mysore via proposed Wayanad Tunnel.

• Kuthiran Tunnel