"Will not lag behind in development even if abandoned by Centre": Chief Minister inaugurates Meppadi tunnel construction

KOZHIKODE: Kerala will not back down from its development projects even if the Centre denies assistance, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, adding that the tunnel to Wayanad is proof of that. He was inaugurating the construction of the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel connecting Wayanad and Kozhikode districts at the Anakkampoyil St. Mary's School Grounds.

"There was a move to destroy KIIFB. However, the tunnel is being built using funds from it. The project will boost the commercial, industrial, tourism and agricultural sectors of Malabar. The miserable journey through the Thamassery Pass will end. Many projects were delayed for decades due to lack of treasury capacity. Education projects were also falling behind. KIIFB was formed as a solution. KIIFB is implementing projects worth Rs 90,000 crore, the Chief Minister said.

Public Works and Tourism Minister P.A. Muhammed Riyas, who presided over the meeting, said that what is going to become a reality is a project that will contribute to infrastructure development. Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal, Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Minister O.R. Kelu, Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran, Thamarassery Bishop Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil, T. Siddique MLA and others spoke. Thiruvambady MLA Linto Joseph gave the welcome speech.

Third longest twin tunnel

• The construction cost is Rs 2134 crore provided by KIIFB. This twin tube tunnel is the longest in Kerala and the third longest in India

• The length of the tunnel is 8.73 km, including the approach road from Marippuzha in Kozhikode to Wayanad Meenakshi Bridge. 8.11 km of the tunnel is twin tunnels. There will be two main bridges and three other small bridges across the Iruvazhinjipuzha River. The road is four lanes of ten meters each.