Mananthavady: The Kerala Public Works Department (PWD) has given its nod to the recently submitted alignment of the proposed Poozhithode–Padinjarathara Road, envisioned as an alternative to the Thamarassery Ghat Road. The 20.9-km stretch will include twin tunnels, offering a shorter and more efficient route between Kozhikode and Wayanad.

Public Works and Tourism Minister PA Muhammad Riyas announced in a Facebook post that steps are underway to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project. The PWD had earlier sanctioned ₹1.5 crore for the investigation and alignment preparation. Among the three proposals submitted, the Northern Division of the PWD approved the one featuring the twin-tunnel design.

“The government is making every effort to realise this decades-long dream of the region’s people,” Riyas said. The renewed alignment was submitted to the PWD headquarters on November 15.

According to PWD officials, the total distance between the two ends in the new alignment, including the tunnels, is 20.97 km — 6.225 km shorter than the earlier 27.225-km plan.

Kamal Joseph, convener of the Padinjarathara–Poozhithode Road Action Council, said residents are happy to see the project finally progressing. “We hope the government and all political parties will ensure the project doesn’t get stalled by election-related administrative hurdles,” he said.

The proposed alignment includes a 2.844-km tunnel bypassing the steep elevation near Vilanganpara, a rocky hillock, and a 36-metre bridge across the Muthett River.

The government’s renewed urgency follows mounting public pressure, as the agitation demanding the road has crossed 1,000 days. The protest continues and will end only once the road becomes a reality.

Recently, a massive programme was organised at Kavumandham to mark the 45th anniversary (November 1, 1980) of the project’s launch.

Interestingly, the administrative sanction for the project was issued three decades ago, in 1994, and about 70% of the roadwork on both sides of the forest zone—12 metres wide—was already completed. Only a 7-km forest stretch remains unfinished. Of the total stretch, 6.5 km lies in Kozhikode district and 16 km in Wayanad district.