Roadblocks in Thamarassery!

For the people of Kozhikode and Wayanad, the phrase “roadblock” is no longer just a saying—it has become a reality. With landslides blocking the Thamarassery Ghat, traffic has been disrupted for the past two days, leaving travellers and transporters stranded. The Thamarassery Ghat road not only connects Wayanad and Kozhikode but is also one of the main routes linking Karnataka with Kerala. Most of the vegetables and fruits brought into Kerala from Karnataka come through National Highway 766, which passes through this stretch. With Onam approaching, several truckloads of vegetables and provisions were stuck at Lakkidi in Wayanad after the road was closed. By yesterday evening, heavy vehicles were allowed to pass again, but officials warned that if the rains continue and the landslides persist, restrictions may have to be reimposed.

Landslides and roadblocks on the Thamarassery Ghat are not new. The 12-kilometre road with nine hairpin bends is also prone to accidents during the rainy season. Two alternative routes are generally used when the Ghat road is closed: the Padinjarathara–Poozhithode road (from Wayanad to Kozhikode) and the Chippilithode–Thalippuzha road (from Kozhikode to Wayanad). Though these routes could serve as reliable backups if widened, both pass through forest areas and would require central government clearance. For now, they remain narrow and difficult, making them unsuitable for long-term use.

Another issue is responsibility. The Thamarassery Ghat begins in Kozhikode district and ends at Lakkidi in Wayanad, but there is still no clarity on which district should handle the maintenance and clearing of blockages. Although there have long been suggestions to form a joint committee of both district collectors, such a body has not yet been set up. Currently, the long-term solution being pointed out is the proposed Wayanad tunnel road, the construction of which will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister tomorrow. The 9-kilometre underground road will start from Anakampoyil in Kozhikode and end at Kalladi near Meppadi in Wayanad, providing an alternative to the landslide-prone Thamarassery Ghat. However, estimates suggest it may take at least four years to complete—possibly longer.

Funded by KIIFB with Rs 2,134 crore, the tunnel will be constructed by the state Public Works Department. Experts stress that the project must be executed on a war footing to avoid further crises. In the meantime, essential repair works on the existing alternative routes should also be carried out. The state government must ensure strict monitoring, careful planning, and efficient execution so that costs and timelines do not escalate. It is almost symbolic that the inauguration of the tunnel project comes at a time when the state is once again experiencing the difficulties caused by the Ghat road closure. The government must now seize this moment and ensure follow-up action without delay.