AGENCY
NEW DELHI, Mar 4
Kerala’s State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC), which advises the government on environmental clearance for development projects at the state level, has given the green signal to the controversial Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi Twin Tube Tunnel Road project. However, the approval comes with 25 stringent conditions for the tunnel’s construction in a highly ecologically sensitive, landslide-prone region. These conditions include the installation of four ground vibration monitoring systems and regular oversight by an environmental management committee.
The Rs 2,034 crore project proposes the construction of a twin-tube, unidirectional tunnel road (2+2 lane) with a four-lane approach from existing roads to improve connectivity between Kozhikode and Wayanad districts. The SEAC decided to grant environmental clearance after an expert committee meeting on March 1. If completed, the tunnel will pass through areas designated as ecologically sensitive. A 5.76 km section of the tunnel runs through forest land, and at least four tribal settlements are located just 500m to 1.5km from the proposed tunnel road on the northern side.
Since the major landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralmala villages of Wayanad, strong opposition has emerged against this ambitious project by the Pinarayi Vijayan government, which promises to resolve Wayanad’s connectivity challenges as the district grows as a tourism hotspot. The tunnel project is expected to be an alternative to the Ghat Road connecting Wayanad and Kozhikode, where hours of traffic snarls are common. Notably, the SEAC has highlighted that the tunnel alignment passes through highly fragile terrain, prone to landslides, where massive destructive landslides occurred in 2019 and 2024. The committee has stressed the need for a comprehensive environmental management plan. Additionally, it has warned that the project could worsen human-wildlife conflict in the area.
The region is also home to rich biodiversity including endangered bird species like Nilgiri Sholakili and many other species that are endemic to Western Ghats.
KITCO Ltd, established in 1972 as the first technical consultancy organisation in India, jointly by Industrial Development Bank of India, Government of Kerala and public sector banks, is the project proponent for this project. The Konkan Railway Corporation Limited is the implementing agency. In September 2024, Dilip Buildcon Limited emerged as the L-1 bidder for constructing the tunnel.
SEAC has made it clear that construction can proceed only by adhering to several additional conditions.
These include conducting micro-scale mapping of landslide-vulnerable zones, setting up automated weather stations, and employing advanced tunnelling methods that reduce ground vibrations.
Notably, the SEAC approval does not explicitly mention any independent study, and it is highly likely that environmentalists will intensify their protests against the project in the days to come.
