Tue Apr 29 08:16:59 UTC 2025: **Kerala Tunnel Road Project Delayed Over Environmental Concerns**
Kozhikode, Kerala, India – April 29, 2025 – The proposed ₹2,043.74 crore Anakkampoyil-Meppadi tunnel road project connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad districts in Kerala has been delayed. The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment has deferred recommending clearance, citing concerns about the project’s impact on ecologically sensitive areas prone to landslides.
The road, which would pass through areas that experienced significant landslides in 2019 and 2024, necessitates further geological and environmental impact studies. The EAC has requested the Kerala State government to provide detailed reports on landslide and water drainage studies, along with mitigation plans for potential landslides and flooding during construction and operation.
While the State-level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) had previously approved the project with 25 mitigation suggestions, the EAC highlighted the vulnerability of the terrain and the potential for vibration-induced landslides during construction. The project’s alignment also raises concerns about the impact on biodiversity, including rare bird species.
The proposed four-lane tunnel road aims to improve connectivity in North Kerala by linking existing roads to state and national highways. The delay underscores the ongoing tension between infrastructure development and environmental protection in the region. The final decision on the project now rests with the EAC pending submission of the requested information from the Kerala State government.
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