Thiruvananthapuram: The recent landslide at the construction site of the Wayanad-Kozhikode twin-tube tunnel project has renewed scrutiny over how one of Kerala’s most ambitious infrastructure projects obtained environmental clearance despite being located in one of the state’s most landslide-prone regions. While environmental groups argued that the project posed significant ecological risks, the government maintained that the tunnel would improve road safety and reduce environmental damage caused by the existing ghat road.
A Project Designed to Bypass the Dangerous Ghat Road
The tunnel project is intended to provide an alternative to the congested Thamarassery Ghat Road, which frequently experiences traffic jams, road closures, and landslides during the monsoon. Once completed, the twin-tube tunnel will significantly reduce travel time between Kozhikode and Wayanad while improving connectivity to northern Kerala and neighboring Karnataka.
Environmental Concerns Raised
Environmental activists and the Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi (WPSS) opposed the project, arguing that:
- The alignment passes through ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats.
- Wayanad has a long history of devastating landslides triggered by heavy rainfall.
- Large-scale excavation could destabilize fragile hill slopes.
- Construction activities may impact forests, wildlife habitats, and water resources.
These concerns gained renewed attention following recent landslides in the project area.
How the Project Obtained Environmental Clearance
Despite objections, the project secured environmental and forest clearances after authorities concluded that it met statutory requirements. Key factors included:
- Preparation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
- Approval by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
- Conditions requiring compensatory afforestation for diverted forest land.
- Wildlife protection measures and environmental monitoring during construction.
- Adoption of engineering techniques intended to minimize surface disturbance compared with expanding the existing ghat road.
Supreme Court Upheld the Clearance
The environmental clearance was challenged before the Supreme Court of India, where petitioners sought to halt construction, citing ecological and landslide risks.
The Supreme Court dismissed the challenge, observing that the tunnel is a project of significant public importance for Kerala. The Court held that the environmental clearance had followed the prescribed legal process and found no sufficient basis to cancel it. However, the Court emphasized that all environmental safeguards and statutory conditions must continue to be followed during construction.
Fresh Questions After the Landslide
The recent landslide at the tunnel construction site has once again raised questions about safety practices, geological assessments, and disaster preparedness. While investigations are ongoing, officials are examining whether extreme monsoon rainfall alone caused the incident or whether construction methods and site management also contributed. Environmental experts have called for stricter monitoring of excavation activities in vulnerable zones.
Balancing Development and Environmental Protection
The Wayanad-Kozhikode tunnel represents the challenge of balancing infrastructure development with environmental conservation in the Western Ghats. Supporters argue that the project will improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and provide a safer alternative to the existing landslide-prone ghat road. Critics maintain that construction in such a fragile ecosystem demands continuous oversight, rigorous safety standards, and strict compliance with environmental safeguards.
As work progresses, the project is likely to remain under close scrutiny from regulators, environmental groups, and local communities, particularly during Kerala’s monsoon seasons.
