The proposal for an underground tunnel road connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad has been accepted by the Union Environment Ministry. The proposed tunnel, which will run beneath the forest, will provide an alternate route between the two cities, cutting the distance from Anakkampoyil to Meppady from 42 kilometers to less than 20 kilometers. Instead of the existing road through Vythiri, the new route will follow Swargamanu and Kalladi. The tunnel road's overall length is 8.735 kilometers, with an estimated cost of Rs 2,134 crore. The project will necessitate the acquisition of 14.995 hectares of private land and 34.30 hectares of forest land, 34.10 of which is forest land. Solid waste disposal will require 10 hectares of land, and 0.21 hectares of agricultural land. In lieu of the land used for the project, the state government is required by the Central Government to plant trees on 17.263 hectares and declare them as reserve forest. The state government must complete this task and notify the Central Ministry within five years. As part of a social rehabilitation initiative, the Forest Department had previously purchased 7.40 hectares of land in four villages in the Wayanad district, namely Chullikkad, Kollivayal, Manalvayal, and Madaparambu. After cutting the damaged teak trees, the South Wayanad Forest Divisional Officer indicated that forest trees could be planted on 10.6 hectares at a teak plantation in Kurichi Patta. The Centre has approved the state government's suggestions. The state has also commissioned an environmental impact study, which will be finished by July and is being carried out by KITCO. The proposed tunnel road is not part of any National or State Highway and hence does not require any Centre permissions. The underground tunnel road is projected to improve communication between Kozhikode and Wayanad, resulting in greater regional economic growth and development. The project also demonstrates the Indian government's commitment to developing infrastructure and increasing connectivity throughout the country. TLDR: The Union Environment Ministry has approved the construction of an underground tunnel route linking Kozhikode and Wayanad, reducing the distance between the two cities from 42 kilometers to less than 20 kilometers. The project will cost Rs 2,134 crore and will necessitate the purchase of 14.995 hectares of private land and 34.30 hectares of forest land. Within five years, the state government has been asked to plant trees on 17.263 hectares of land and proclaim it a reserve forest. An environmental impact analysis is under underway and will be completed by July. See also: 962.50 million INR sanctioned for coastal highway project Haryana roads, bridges approved by the centre for Rs 8.74 billion