Uncertainty over fuel in the tunnels is putting pressure on the Vilangad-Mananthavady route

Work on the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel road project was halted after a debris slide near its entrance on 7 July 2026. Photo credit: file photo

With Thamarassery Ghat Road often witnessing traffic jams, the demand for an alternative road connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad is gaining momentum.

The proposed Vilangad-Panom-Kunhome-Mananthavady route is being pushed as a possible alternative, especially for travelers from North Kozhikode to North Wayanad.

The renewed demand for an alternative route comes amid uncertainty over the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi (Kozhikode-Wayanad Tunnel Road) twin-tube tunnel project. Work on the project was halted after a debris slide near its entrance at Kalladi on 7 July 2026.

The demand for the Vilangad-Mananthavady route is almost five decades old. The first step to establish a road from Vilangad via Panom to Kunhome, bypassing the ghat, began in 1977. Further efforts were made in the late 1980s and early 1990s under the leadership of the then MLAs.

Demand gained momentum around 2009, when protests for the forest road began. The People’s Committee organized a march from Vilangad to the forest, but the police stopped the march.

According to residents, only about 3 km of new roads remain to be built, which would connect the existing roads and make the proposed route operational. A broad road already connects Vilangad with Panom, while the distance from Panom to Kunhome is around 7 km. Roughly 4 km of this section is already covered by a coupé road.

Historical significance

Residents said the route had historical significance as it was used by people traveling between Vilangad and Wayanad in the past.

However, the entire seven-kilometer stretch between Pan and Kunhome falls within the reserve forest, so cutting down the forest is a big obstacle.

Those who support the project have suggested off-level communication as a possible solution. They said the viaduct could be built with minimal disturbance to the forest, allowing wildlife to move underneath. An earlier study conducted by the Vanimel grama panchayat suggested construction of bridges and culverts as part of the route.

The demand was raised again at a people’s meeting held recently to advocate for the Vilangad-Mananthavady road. The convention was inaugurated by Shafi Parambil, MP.

Committee formed

A committee with KM Abhijith, MLA as chairman and Kozhikode district panchayat vice president KK Navas as convener has been formed to coordinate efforts for the project. MPs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Shafi Parambil and MLA Usha Vijayan were appointed as chief patrons.

The committee decided to convene a high-level meeting in Thiruvananthapuram soon. It was also decided to look for funds for a preliminary survey for the proposed route and prepare an expert opinion for submission to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Further efforts will be made to obtain the Centre’s approval for the project.

Meanwhile, the state government is awaiting the expert panel’s report before deciding whether to resume work on the Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi twin-tube tunnel road.

Published – 05 Sep 2026 19:43 IST