Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road Gets Environmental Clearance from Union Ministry

Kozhikode: The proposed four-lane tunnel road connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad has received environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, announced MLA Linto Joseph. An expert committee of the Union Environment Ministry had recommended the implementation of the Anakampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel road project, subject to specific conditions, during its meeting held on May 14-15.

Previously, the State Expert Committee on environment-related matters had granted approval for the project in March. However, the term of the members of the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority, who were responsible for the final approval of these proposals, had expired. Consequently, the project was referred to the Central Expert Committee for consideration. The Union Environment Ministry has now granted the environmental clearance with various conditions. This significant approval clears the path for signing the contract and commencing the construction of the tunnel road.

The tunnel road project will be constructed under a tripartite agreement involving the Public Works Department, Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), and Konkan Railway. The contract for the project has been awarded to Bhopal-based Dilip Buildcon and Kolkata-based Royal Infrastructure companies. The estimated cost of the project is ₹2134 crore. Tender procedures for the project were completed earlier.