Wayanad double tunnel project similar to Atal tunnel: Reasons why it is government's proud project

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An amount of Rs 2134.50 crore will be sanctioned from KIIFB for the Wayanad twin tunnel announced by the state government as a dream project. A total Rs 6943.37 crore will be provided for forty four development projects including this. The twin tunnel is an alternative to the Thamarassery Pass which connects Wayanad and Kozhikode districts. During the first budget of this government, an amount of Rs 20 crore was sanctioned for the project. Finance Minister KN Balagopal and KIIFB CEO Dr KM Abraham were present at the KIIFB Board meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The tunnel is being constructed by the Konkan Railway Corporation. The money will be transferred only after project completion of three years. 80 km/hr is the speed through the tunnel and one hour can be saved in the journey to Wayanad and back to places like Bangalore and Ooty. The tunnel is being constructed due to frequent traffic jams and landslides in the Thamarassery pass with nine hairpin bends over a length of 12 km.

The length of the tunnel is 7.826 km starting from Murippuzha and ending at Kalladi. 850 crore will be provided for land acquisition for the Global Industrial Finance Trade City project at Ayyampuzha, Ernakulam as part of the Kochi-Bangalore Industrial Corridor.

3 years for construction , 6.910 km: Tunnel length, 70 m bridge: In the river Iravannipuzha, 750+ 200m: approach road

Wayanad Twin Tunnel Road is a crucial project. The project is similar to the Atal Tunnel Road in Himachal Pradesh. KIIFB had set a target of Rs 50,000 crore but now it has reached Rs 70,000 crore, said KN Balagopal, Minister of Finance