THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From now on, there is no need to go through Thamarassery Churam to go to Wayanad. The ropeway project connecting the two districts is in the pipeline. The government has given permission to the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) to implement it under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model at a cost of more than 100 crore.

The ropeway is 3.67 km from Adivaram to Lakkidi. 40 towers will be installed between Adivaram and Lakkidi. Special bus services will be arranged from Bathery to Lakkidi and from Kozhikode to Adivaram. Technical approvals have been received from the central and state governments. If the ropeway project is completed along with the Adivaram, Nooramthode, Chipilithode and Thalipuzha roads, the traffic congestion in the churam will be solved.

Discussions are underway to start a park, star hotel, cafeteria, amphitheatre, auditorium, etc. in connection with the Lakkidi terminal at the foothills. The ropeway project was proposed by a company called Western Ghats Development Private Limited in the State Single Window Clearance Board meeting held on October 20, 2023. Then, after studying the matter, a committee headed by the Chief Secretary assigned the KSIDC MD to implement the project. In a discussion held at the Chief Secretary level on June 16, 2024, it was announced that it was ready to hand over one acre of land for the lower terminal of the project. The government then issued an order.

Kozhikode to Wayanad in 15 minutes

• Wayanad will have the longest ropeway in South India.
• The ropeway passes over 2 hectares of forest land.
• It takes 15 minutes to travel in one direction.
• AC cable cars that can accommodate six people at a time

As of now, it takes at least 40 minutes to travel from Adivaram to Lakkidi through the pass.