Thu Dec 05 14:47:36 UTC 2024: ## Controversial Twin Tunnel Project Divides Wayanad Residents

**Kozhikode, Kerala, December 5, 2024** – A proposed ₹1,500 crore twin-tunnel project connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad districts in Kerala is sparking fierce debate. While residents see it as a lifeline, environmentalists warn of ecological disaster.

The 8.11-km tunnel, set to be the third longest in India, aims to drastically reduce travel time between Anakkampoyil and Meppadi, from 42 km to 20 km. This would also shorten the route between Kozhikode and Kalpetta, Wayanad’s district headquarters. Many residents, including those willing to relocate, emphasize the project’s importance for accessing healthcare and other essential services, particularly given Wayanad’s vulnerability to landslides and lack of specialized medical facilities. The project also promises a boost to local tourism and agriculture.

However, the Wayanad Prakruthi Samrakshana Samiti (WPSS), an environmental group, vehemently opposes the project, citing its potential impact on the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats. They argue that the state government provided misleading information to secure environmental clearances and highlight the project’s risk in a landslide-prone area, referencing the devastating Chooralmala landslide earlier this year. They have petitioned the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to revoke the project’s clearance and plan to challenge it in the Kerala High Court.

The Kerala government, however, defends the project, asserting that all legal requirements have been met and that a tunnel is the only viable option after previous bypass road proposals were rejected. Government officials highlight the project’s support from local panchayats and the positive social impact assessment conducted by the Centre for Management Development. Construction is underway, with a completion timeline of four years. The project is fully funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) and is among 30 projects personally monitored by the Chief Minister.

The contrasting views underscore a significant divide between the need for improved infrastructure and concerns over environmental protection in this ecologically sensitive region. The ongoing debate raises crucial questions about balancing development with environmental sustainability.

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