KALPETTA: The long-awaited Wayanad tunnel project, aimed at improving connectivity and boosting overall development in the hilly region, will be launched today. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the construction at 4 p.m. at St. Mary’s School, Anakkampoyil. Once completed, the tunnel will make cargo movement easier along the Bengaluru–Kochi industrial corridor.

The Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi tunnel will be finished in four years. It will have two parallel tunnels covering a length of 8.11 km, with approach roads extending the total to 8.73 km. Of this, 5.58 km lies in Wayanad district and 3.15 km in Kozhikode.

The project includes two major bridges and three smaller ones across the Iruvazhinji River. About 33 hectares of land, including forest area, will be acquired. Final clearance from the Ministry of Environment was granted on June 18. The tunnel will connect with the Meppadi–Chooralmala road in Wayanad and the Muthappanpuzha–Anakkampoyil road in Kozhikode.

The contract has been awarded to Dilip Buildcon (Bhopal) and Royal Infrastructure (Kolkata). The Public Works Department will oversee the work, funded through KIIFB. The project is expected to be a major relief for travellers, especially since landslides often disrupt traffic on the Thamarassery Ghat Road.

New Austrian Tunnelling

• Advanced and safe New Austrian Tunnelling technique will be used.
• Cost-effective and proven efficient in complex geological areas.
• Natural rock pressure will be used as part of the support mechanism.
• Construction will be carried out in stages, adapting to rock conditions.
• Continuous monitoring will detect unexpected changes.
• Safety ensured through steel supports, shotcrete, and rock bolts.

Safety & monitoring

1. Each tunnel will be 10 meters wide, with 15 meters between them.
2. Tunnels will be interconnected every 300 meters.
3. Equipped with CCTV, telephones, and fire hydrants.
4. A control room will monitor safety and traffic 24/7.
5. In case of emergencies like fire, one tunnel will serve as an escape route.

Project details
Length: 8.11 km twin tunnels
Cost: Rs 2,134.5 crore

Western Ghats are geologically safer compared to the Himalayas, with lower risk of landslides, says K.P. Purushothaman, Chief Engineer of BRO, who also led the Atal Tunnel project.