Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel road project: Chief Minister to inaugurate first blasting today

KOZHIKODE: Development will garner pace in the hilly terrain of Kerala with the Chief Minister today inaugurating the switch-on ceremony of the first blast of the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel road project, which emphasises the comprehensive development of Wayanad-Kozhikode districts. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the project area at 11 am in the Marippuzha project area. The Chief Minister inaugurated the work on the tunnel on August 31, 2025.

Rock drilling machines, including rock drill boomers, have already been delivered to Marippuzha. First, drilling will be done in the Swargam Kunnu area of ​​Marippuzha. Later, drilling will be done in the Kalladi area of ​​Wayanad. There is more soil to be removed in this area. Drilling will be in the cut-and-cover method using Australian technology. This is done using rock drill boomers of the exact size and depth. This is a tunnelling method in which the initial section is drilled, and then the rock is broken to prepare the path. Rock drilling begins after carefully examining the structure and strength of the rock. The authorities have made strict safety arrangements in view of the risk of accidents. The track is being constructed for Rs 2043 crore in KIIFB. The Konkan Rail Corporation is the implementing agency.

🔸A four-lane tunnel road with a length of 8.73 km, including the approach road from Marippuzha (Kozhikode) to Meenakshi Bridge (Wayanad). Of this, 8.11 km are double tunnels. Each tunnel has two lanes.

🔸5.58 km in Wayanad district and 3.15 km in Kozhikode. Cross passages connecting the double tunnels every 300 meters on the route, with six curves.

🔸A new bridge with a length of 70 meters to Swargam Kunnu, where the tunnel begins across Marippuzha at Anakkampoyil. After crossing the bridge and walking 200 meters, people will be able to enter the tunnel

The width of the tunnel is 10 meters

The distance between the tunnels is 15 meters

Land required: 33 hectares

5771 meters through forest area and 2964 meters on private land

The project, which will be done for Rs 2134 crore, is expected to be completed by 2030.