Construction Work Set To Begin On India’s Largest Twin-Tunnel Project Linking Kozhikode And Wayanad In Kerala

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the Rs 2,134-crore Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel road project on Sunday (31 August) at St. Mary’s School ground in Anakkampoyil, reported The Times Of India.

The 8.11 km twin-tube, unidirectional four-lane tunnel will connect Anakkampoyil in Kozhikode’s Thiruvambady panchayat to Kalladi in Wayanad’s Meppadi panchayat.

Authorities expect the project to bypass the winding Thamarassery ghat road, easing congestion while boosting agriculture and tourism in the region.

The tunnel will span 3.15 km through Kozhikode district and 5.58 km through Wayanad.

The project also includes two major bridges across the Iruvazhinji river, three minor bridges, and cross passages between the two tunnels every 300 metres.

Once complete, the distance between Anakkampoyil and Meppadi will reduce to 22 km.

At least 33 hectares of land, including 17.263 hectares of forest land, is to be utilised for the project.

Bhopal-based Dilip Buildcon Ltd secured the Rs 1,341-crore contract for tunnel construction, while Kolkata’s Royal Infra Construction won the Rs 80.4-crore contract for the Iruvazhinji bridge and approach roads.

Funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), the project will be the country’s third-longest tunnel and the largest twin-tunnel initiative.

The state PWD is leading the project with Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd as the special purpose vehicle.

Officials plan to complete it in four years using the New Austrian tunnelling method.

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