Swap72 at 00:13, 6 May 2026

2026-05-06T00:13:39Z

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{{Short description|Proposed tunnel in Kerala, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2025}}
{{Infobox tunnel
| name = Kozhikode–Wayanad Tunnel Road
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| location = [[Kerala]], India
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| start = 2025
| end = 2029
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| traffic = Automotive
| character = Passenger and Freight
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| length =
{{convert|8100|m|ft|abbr=on}}
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'''Kozhikode - Wayanad Tunnel''' or '''Anakkampoyil -Kalladi - Meppadi Tunnel''' is a twin-tube [[tunnel|tunnel road]] project in the [[South India]]n state of [[Kerala]] which is under construction. This road tunnel, is the third longest underpass in India would run through the sensitive hills and forests of the [[Western Ghats]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 October 2020 |title=A proposed road tunnel beneath Western Ghats in Kerala: purpose, concerns |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-a-proposed-road-tunnel-beneath-western-ghats-purpose-concerns-6705812/ |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> It would provide an alternate route between [[Kozhikode]] and [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]] and will reduce the distance between [[Anakkampoyil|Anakkampoil]] and [[Meppadi|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 Kozhikode and Bangalore would be shortened, and the districts of Wayanad and Kozhikode will be linked without crossing the [[Thamarassery Churam]].

The project started in 1980's by public interest. In 2011-2016, UDF government allowed fund in Budget for preliminary survey for this project considering a bypass for Thamarassery Ghat. In 2016-2021, under LDF government considered Tunnel Project as best proposals to minimise environmental impacts. In 2021-2026, Konkan Railway was appointed as SPV for tunnel project by LDF Government and proceeded for further National green clearances. 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 Punia Construction Company at 73.86 crores. Tunnel Construction officially started on 31 August 2025 and rock excavation started early 2026 by getting Forest Stage-II clearance. In 2026-2031, UDF government decided to move forward with project giving Financial approvals considering traffic chaos in Thamarassery Ghat Churam. It is anticipated a 4 lane bypass to existing Thamaraserry Ghat of NH 766 of Kozhikode - Muthanga - Mysore road will come through this Tunnel. <ref>{{Cite web |title=Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road Project Gets Green Light Union Ministry - TimesProperty |url=https://timesproperty.com/news/post/kozhikode-wayanad-tunnel-road-gets-green-light-from-union-ministry-blid4321 |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=timesproperty.com}}</ref>

==Overview==
The tunnel road project is one of 30 significant projects in [[Kerala]] that the [[List of chief ministers of Kerala|chief minister]] has directly reviewed. It is considered significant since it easily connects business, industrial, and tourism areas such as [[Bengaluru]] and [[Mysore]] with Kozhikode. The existing route via the [[Thamarassery Churam|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]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2023 |title=Wayanad tunnel road gets preliminary approval from union environment ministry |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/wayanad-tunnel-road-gets-preliminary-approval-from-union-environment-ministry-1b44829f |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=English.Mathrubhumi}}</ref>

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 [[Government of Kerala|state government]] is required by the [[Government of India|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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Decades of wait is over; construction of tunnel road to Wayanad to begin in January |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2023/10/07/wayanad-tunnel-road-project-construction-ready-to-begin.html |access-date=9 October 2023 |website=OnManorama}}</ref>

==Route==
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.

==See also==
* [[Kuthiran Tunnel]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road}}
[[Category:Proposed roads in India]]
[[Category:Proposed infrastructure in Kerala]]

Kozhikode Wayanad Tunnel Road - Revision history

Swap72 at 00:13, 6 May 2026