The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Committee has granted approval for the much-anticipated Aanakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel, which is being developed as an alternative to the Thamarassery pass. The project received the green light after the expert committee, in its meeting on March 1, recommended final approval from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA). The approval comes with 25 conditions aimed at minimizing environmental impact.

Given the ecologically sensitive nature of the region, strict safety measures have been mandated during construction. These include fine-scale mapping, monitoring landslide-prone areas, and setting up meteorological stations on both ends of the tunnel road to provide early warnings of extreme rainfall. Additionally, tunneling methods must be adapted to the land's structure, and a four-member expert committee, as recommended by the District Collector, will oversee the project.

To protect the Appankapu elephant reserve, 3.0579 hectares of forest land will be acquired, and continuous monitoring will be conducted to safeguard the endangered ‘Banasura Chilappan’ bird. The project must also ensure that construction does not obstruct the natural flow of the Iruvazhinjippuzha river.

The approval further stipulates stringent air quality monitoring inside the tunnel and adequate security measures for the workforce. Progress will be reviewed every six months, with mandatory reports to ensure compliance.

With an estimated cost of Rs 21.34 billion, the project is being executed by Dilip Buildcon Limited for the tunnel construction, while Royal Infrastructure Company will develop the Sampanna Road. The land acquisition process is nearly 90% complete, with only space for storing construction materials pending.

Once completed, the tunnel will significantly ease travel by connecting Aanakkampoyil in Kozhikode district to Kalladi in Meppadi panchayat, Wayanad, offering a vital alternative to the existing Thamarassery pass.