Tree cutting for Thamarassery Ghat widening begins, traffic delay expected on NH 766

Kalpetta: With the National Highways Authority completing procedures for the widening of the 6th, 7th and 8th hairpin bends of the Wayanad Ghat Road, the Public Works and Forest departments have begun cutting trees along the curves. The work is expected to cause slight traffic delays on NH 766 during the afternoon.

According to the Forest Department, around 450 trees need to be cut and removed before widening can begin.

Tree cutting started on Friday and will continue today for about two hours. Officials said the operation is unlikely to create major bottlenecks. The work is being done in the afternoon when traffic is generally lighter on the ghat section.

Volunteers of the Churam Samrakshana Samithy also said congestion is unlikely, noting that most trees were removed without blocking the road. Justin, a volunteer, told Onmanorama that trees leaning towards the curves had already been cut. “I hope there will not be any jams due to tree cutting,” he said, while adding that other factors could still cause delays.

The Forest Department approved the project after the Union Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change cleared the proposal in 2022. The ₹37 crore contract has been awarded to Choudhari Construction Company, New Delhi. The work includes road widening with footpaths and handrails, along with protective walls.

Once completed, the road is expected to be between 14.55 metres and 17.3 metres wide at the start of the curves, and between 26.50 metres and 38.15 metres at the middle of the bends.