Wayanad road tunnel project progresses despite opposition

THE Kozhikode-Wayanad tunnel road, which is the dream project of the LDF government, is progressing with land acquisition and tender procedures. Public Works Department Minister Mohamed Riyas informed the Assembly that the state government has opened financial bids for the project.

Although the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi tunnel road project gives hope to the government in terms of development of tourism and trade fields in Wayanad, several organisations, especially the green activists, have raised protest against the project after the recent landslides in Mundakkai-Chooralmala.

On Friday, in response to Linto Joseph MLA's submission, Minister R Bindu replied to the Assembly on behalf of PWD Minister Mohamed Riyas. "The stage-one permission of the Forest Department to acquire 17.263 hectares of forest land for the project was received on March 31, 2023.