Environment Ministry gives preliminary approval for Wayanad Tunnel

11 Apr 2023 CW Team

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.

"Join industry leaders at RAHSTA Expo, India's premier platform for roads, highways and traffic infrastructure. Register now to explore innovations, network with experts and shape the future of mobility."

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

Real Estate

07 Jul 2026

SNN Estates Expands North Bengaluru Housing Project

SNN Estates has announced an expansion of its SNN Estates Felicity residential project in North Bengaluru following strong buyer demand, with 75 per cent of the first-phase inventory sold within three days of launch.The developer will add 76 apartments in the new phase, taking the project's estimated revenue potential to around Rs 1,000 crore upon completion of Phase 2.Spread across 6.5 acres in Rachenahalli, near Manyata Tech Park, the project comprises 604 apartments in 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and 4 BHK configurations. The development includes a 50,000-sq-ft clubhouse with amenities such as sports co..

Infrastructure Urban

07 Jul 2026

SCG Drives ASEAN Industrial Transformation Strategy

SCG is strengthening its focus on ASEAN as a key growth region by advancing industrial transformation, enhancing competitiveness and building resilient regional value chains. Thammasak Sethaudom, President and Chief Executive Officer, SCG, highlighted the need for industries to continuously develop capabilities, strengthen resilience and deepen regional cooperation to achieve sustainable long-term growth.SCG views ASEAN as an important growth engine alongside China, supported by favourable demographics, trade connectivity and investment flows. With ASEAN’s GDP projected to grow by around 4.7..

Products

07 Jul 2026

EUROBOND Expands NABL Accreditation to 51 Testing Parameters

EUROBOND, the flagship brand of Euro Panel Products, has expanded the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation of its in-house laboratory from 16 to 51 mechanical and chemical testing parameters, making it the only Indian aluminium composite panel (ACP) manufacturer with accreditation covering such an extensive testing scope.The expanded accreditation enables the company to independently test coils, coatings, cores, aluminium composite panels (ACP) and metal composite panels (MCP) in accordance with international standards, including IS, ASTM, ..