Kozhikode-Wayanad tunnel project work stalled despite submission of documents

Work on the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi twin-tube tunnel project currently under construction in Kerala is completely stalled at both ends. According to a report by 'The Hindu', despite the project's implementing agency, Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), and its EPC contractor, Dilip Buildcon Limited, submitting all documents requested by the state government-appointed expert committee, there are no signs of work resuming. This delay has raised serious concerns regarding the safety and durability of the project, particularly concerning the 110-metre tunnelling portion completed in the right tube on the Anakkampoyil side. Agencies have warned that keeping the work suspended for a long period could lead to the deterioration of the completed construction.

This entire controversy began following a landslide at the north portal on 7 July, 2026, after which the state government formed a five-member expert committee. The scope of this committee included investigating the possibility of contract violations by the contractor and verifying the environmental clearances granted by the state and central governments. Later, this committee was expanded to include 11 members. According to the implementing agencies, they submitted all documents, including geotechnical investigations, geological reports, tunnel design, and the EPC contract, within two days of receiving the first request from the committee on 18 July, 2026.

Subsequently, about three months later on 17 October, the committee requested additional documents, which the agencies submitted on 23 October, one day before the stipulated deadline. A meeting chaired by the Principal Secretary of the Revenue Department was held on 27 October, where the potential causes of the landslide and compliance with conditions set by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change were discussed. However, even after this much time, the expert committee has not prepared its final report, and the agencies have received no official instructions regarding the resumption of work. The agencies also emphasized that the committee's mandate was limited only to the landslide at the north portal, yet work has been kept suspended at both ends of the tunnel.

The committee was originally supposed to submit its report within one month. The agencies state that since all documents were provided on time, they cannot be held responsible for the delay in preparing the report. Amidst this situation, the governing committee of the Meppadi Gram Panchayat has unanimously passed a resolution. In this resolution presented by the Panchayat President, the central and state governments as well as the implementing agencies have been requested to resume work immediately by strictly adhering to safety standards. The Panchayat believes that this tunnel is extremely important for the overall development of Malabar and especially Wayanad. This project will provide a permanent solution to the traffic problem on the Thamarassery Ghat road and will boost tourism, agriculture, and trade. The Panchayat has urged the authorities to coordinate to complete the work on time.