Kerala’s First Road Tunnel At Kuthiran Opened For Traffic, Eases Travel To Karnataka And Tamil Nadu

One side of Kerala’s first road tunnel, the Kuthiran tunnel on the Thrissur-Palakkad highway, was opened for traffic on Saturday (31 July).

The 1.6 km long tunnel will drastically improve connectivity to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It would also reduce travel time between Coimbatore and Kochi.

The Kuthiran tunnel is designed through Peechi- Vazhani wildlife sanctuary. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari instructed the officials to open one side of the Kuthiran Tunnel on Saturday.

“We will open one side of the Kuthiran Tunnel in Kerala today. This is the first road tunnel in the state and will drastically improve connectivity to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The 1.6 km long tunnel is designed through Peechi- Vazhani wildlife sanctuary,” Nitin Gadkari said in a tweet.

“The road will improve connectivity to important ports and towns in the North – South Corridor without endangering wildlife. Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, transformation in the infrastructure of the country is ensuring better economic opportunities to every citizen,” he added.