Kerala CM carries out ‘first blast’ for Wayanad tunnels

Kozhikode: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan carried out the first rock blast for the Rs 2,134-crore Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel road at Maripuzha on Friday. He detonated explosives placed at the entrance of the 8.7km tunnel on the Kozhikode side, which will cut through the mountain. Blasting began after the state obtained stage-II clearance. Officials restricted entry to the site using passes to ensure security. A live telecast of the event was arranged for the public at Muthappanpuzha LP School.Vijayan said he was happy to start Kerala's dream infrastructure project amid high expectations. Officials from Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd (KRCL) and PWD briefed him on various aspects of the project. KRCL, as the executing agency (SPV), will manage the project, while Bhopal-based Dilip Buildcon will carry out the construction works.Presiding over the event, PWD minister P A Mohamed Riyas said the tunnel will have far-reaching impacts across Kerala. He added that the blast symbolically showed the govt's determination to overcome unnecessary controversies and obstacles surrounding the project."It will put an end to hours of waiting in traffic blocks on Thamarassery Ghat stretch. Once the work is over, travel time from Kozhikode to Wayanad will be just 10 minutes. It will significantly enhance connectivity between Kerala and Bengaluru," he said.KIIFB executive director K P Purushothaman said the tunnel stretch mainly consists of strong charnockite rock, making it suitable for tunnelling and reducing the risk of geological challenges. He said New Austrian Tunnelling Method will be used for the work. The tunnel will have four access points and tunnelling from the Wayanad side will begin in a month.Purushothaman added that all conditions in the environmental clearance will be followed and KIIFB has set aside Rs 40 crore for environmental safeguards. Systems have been put in place to address any challenges that may arise during construction. Since the rock formation is strong and stable, authorities expect tunnelling work to be completed in four years.Those who attended the programme included forest minister A K Saseendran, MLA Linto Joseph, PWD secretary K Biju and PWD (roads) executive engineer V K Hashim.