The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted final environmental clearance for the Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi tunnel road project, permitting the use of 17.263 hectares of forest land under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. The eight point seven three-kilometre tunnel road will connect Wayanad and Kozhikode districts and ranks among the largest infrastructure developments in Kerala. The project is being implemented by the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited as the special purpose vehicle and is being financed through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Construction is under contract to Dilip Buildcon, headquartered in Bhopal, and Royal Infrastructure, based in Kolkata, and work is reported to be progressing at pace. Thiruvambady MLA Linto Joseph said that rock excavation would commence on March three at the Marippuzha section with the Chief Minister scheduled to perform a switch-on ceremony. The project was inaugurated by the Chief Minister on 31 August last year and is scheduled for completion within four years. The estimated cost is Rs 21,345 million (mn), with the clearance issued subject to stringent conditions aimed at protecting forest and wildlife. Authorities must undertake compensatory afforestation on equivalent non-forest land and plant at least 1,000 saplings per hectare within two years, while tree felling must be minimised and labour camps must not be established within forest land. The order bars the construction of new roads inside the forest for transporting materials and restricts the use of forest land to purposes specified in the approved project proposal. A total of 24 conditions were stipulated and the Divisional Forest Officer has been assigned to monitor project activities to ensure strict compliance with wildlife protection measures and all other environmental clearance requirements. The implementation timetable directs the project authority to adhere to the conditions throughout construction and to report progress to the ministry and the monitoring officer. Officials indicated that the approval will allow the accelerated start of excavation and that the project team will coordinate with environmental authorities during the four-year construction period.