Thiruvambady: A journey to Wayanad bypassing the mountain pass, which has been a long-cherished dream of the high range people, is now close to becoming a reality with the proposed twin tunnel passage. The alternative route via Aanakkampoyil–Kallady–Meppady promises to unlock immense tourism potential, spur high range development and ensure seamless transportation.

The idea of twin tunnels took root in the collective deliberations of the elders of the high range. As a follow-up, a forest trip was organised in 1980 by elders of settler families from Aanakkampoyil to Meppady in Wayanad. The touring party was received at Meppady by a team led by the then panchayat president P A Mohammed, followed by a convention. This journey marked the beginning of efforts for an alternative route to he Thamarassery Ghat road. 

Later, the then Thiruvambady panchayat president P N Chidambaram organised a convention in Aanakkampoyil, attended by a large delegation led by the Meppady panchayat president. Although several surveys and exploratory trips followed, the project made little headway due to concerns over deforestation and ecological impact.

The turning point came when Mathai Chacko, during his 2006 general election campaign, included the Aanakkampoyil–Kallady–Meppady road in his manifesto. After his sudden demise, MLA George M Thomas too took up the cause, making effective interventions towards realising the project. He even undertook a forest trip with panchayat president Jolly Joseph and 25 others, conducted with police and forest department permission. However, the forest department registered a case against some participants for clearing undergrowth in preparation for the trip.

The alternative Kallady–Meppady road was formally presented to the government in 2011 by MLA C Moinkutty. Minister K M Mani sanctioned Rs. 2 crore for the project. In 2015, a preliminary survey revealed the possibility of a tunnel from Swaramkunnu to Kallady. However , little progress was achieved until the LDF government revived the idea in 2016. A delegation led by George M Thomas and Bishop Mar Remigiose Inchananiyil convinced the Chief Minister of the tunnel’s feasibility. Following this, PWD Minister G Sudhakaran sanctioned  Rs. 20 crores for the project.

Subsequently, a delegation met ‘Metroman’ E Sreedharan, who also endorsed the plan. On his advice, the project was handed over to the Konkan Railway Corporation, which was appointed as the overseeing and implementing agency. The government later sanctioned Rs.10 crores for a detailed survey. This survey suggested that the tunnel could be built across the Marippuzha without affecting Swargamkunnu. Eventually, Rs. 2134 crores were allocated through KIIFB for an 8.11 km-long tunnel and construction was awarded to Bhopal-based Dilip Buildcon Company.

When Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurates the construction of the tunnel project at Aanakkampoyil tomorrow at 3 PM, it will mark not just a milestone for the high range but also a transformative step in the development of Kerala as a whole.