Green clearance granted for ₹2,134-crore Wayanad tunnel project

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has given environmental approval for the ₹2,134-crore Wayanad twin-tunnel road project in Kerala’s Western Ghats.

The ₹ 2,134-crore Wayanad twin-tunnel road project, connecting Anakkampoyil, Kalladi, and Meppadi through Kerala’s ecologically sensitive Western Ghats, has received environmental clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The approval was granted by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) with over 60 stringent conditions to be met before construction begins. The project will be executed under a tripartite agreement between the Kerala PWD, KIIFB, and Konkan Railway, with the construction work awarded to Dilip Buildcon and Royal Infrastructure. Work is expected to start next month.

The EAC raised significant concerns regarding the region’s vulnerability to geological hazards, including landslides and ground vibrations. These risks have been highlighted especially in the context of past disasters in the area in 2018 and 2024. To address this, the committee has mandated several safeguards such as vibration monitoring, controlled blasting techniques, real-time installation of landslide and vibration sensors, and constant observation of ground settlement, groundwater seepage, and material creep.

In addition to geological risks, the project has implications for local biodiversity and wildlife. The EAC has directed the developers to establish safe wildlife corridors, including underpasses for elephants and specific protection for the Appankappu corridor, where 3.06 hectares of forest land will be maintained to facilitate elephant movement. The presence of endangered species like the Banasura laughingthrush has prompted the committee to recommend thorough ecological impact studies and continuous species monitoring during construction.

Despite these environmental safeguards, several environmental groups have voiced strong criticism. They argue that the geological assessments presented were either outdated or inadequate, and worry that the imposed conditions may not be effectively enforced. Activists, including members of the Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi, have stated their intent to legally challenge the clearance, citing the region’s fragile ecology and the lack of comprehensive studies.

The project is now moving towards the contract finalisation and inauguration stage, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expected to officiate its launch. Authorities will be required to submit biannual compliance reports and ensure all environmental and safety conditions are strictly observed during both the construction and operational phases. While the tunnel project promises to ease traffic congestion in the Thamarassery Ghat section, it continues to spark a broader debate on balancing infrastructure development with environmental preservation.