The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has granted final (Stage II) forest clearance to Kerala’s long-pending Anakkampoyil–Kalladi–Meppadi tunnel road project, clearing a crucial regulatory hurdle and paving the way for construction to begin in earnest.
The ambitious infrastructure initiative involves constructing an 8.17-km twin-tube tunnel through the Western Ghats, directly connecting Anakkampoyil in Kozhikode district with Meppadi in Wayanad district. With an estimated cost of around ₹2,134 crore, the project also includes four-lane approach roads on both sides to improve regional connectivity and help bypass the frequently congested Thamarassery Ghat section of National Highway 766.
As part of the clearance, the ministry has approved the diversion of roughly 17.263 hectares of forest land, subject to 24 environmental conditions designed to safeguard biodiversity and minimise ecological impact. These include directives on land boundary marking, reforestation measures, tree-felling restrictions and habitat protection.
The final clearance follows prior expert panel recommendations and completes the multi-tier approval process, allowing preparatory and main construction works to advance. Once completed, the tunnel road is expected to significantly cut travel time between Kozhikode and Wayanad, easing pressure on existing routes and boosting economic links for communities in northern Kerala.
