Kerala has taken a decisive step towards enhancing its transport connectivity with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan laying the foundation stone for the 8.73-km Kozhikode–Wayanad tunnel at Anakkampoyil. The project, which has been long awaited by the people of Malabar, is set to transform the movement of goods and passengers across the region.
Planned as a four-lane structure, the tunnel will be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 2,134 crore. On completion, it will stand as Kerala’s longest and India’s third-longest road tunnel. The new route is expected to reduce travel difficulties posed by the Thamarassery Ghat road, particularly during heavy rains and landslides, and cut down travel time to Meppadi and Sultan Bathery.
The government envisions the tunnel as a growth catalyst for Malabar, with benefits spanning tourism, trade, and industry. By providing uninterrupted all-weather connectivity, the project is likely to attract greater economic activity and improve the region’s accessibility to major markets.
The initiative is backed by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), which has emerged as a key driver of the state’s large-scale development programmes. With over Rs 90,000 crore worth of projects underway, KIIFB’s role in mobilising funds has been pivotal in bringing forward projects that were earlier considered unviable.
The Kozhikode–Wayanad tunnel project is targeted for completion in four years, after which it will stand as a landmark in Kerala’s infrastructure development and a vital link boosting the state’s northern corridor.