more-in The Environment Ministry has reservation about the State government proposal to construct an alternative road linking Kozhikode to Wayanad, aimed at decongesting the existing Thamarassery Ghat Road, it is learnt. The Ministry is said to have objected to the construction of two tunnels on Maruthilavu-Vythiri- Kalpetta stretch and Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi stretch to form part of the new road. Besides, the Ministry would not consider the project in view of the recent rain- triggered landslips in the ecologically sensitive region, both in Kozhikode and Wayanad districts. The proposal of the government is to construct a road from Chippilithodu via Maruthilavu to Thalipuzha. Nearly 4.85 hectares of forestland in Kozhikode district and 12 hectares of fragile land in Wayanad district fall in the proposed alignment, posing a serious threat to the ecological balance in the region. The new development comes close on the heels of the State government planning to entrust the task of preparing the project to Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL), and the Finance Department deciding to fund the project via the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), a government-owned financial institution. Incidentally, the government had written to the Centre seeking permission to utilise forestland to develop another alternative to Ghat Road following the floods in the district in June-July. However, the proposed road starts from Kozhikode city and would pass through Puthiyangadi, Ulliyeri, Kadiyangadu, Peruvannamoozhi, Poozhithodu, Padinjarathara to reach Kalpetta in Wayanad district. At least, 16.79 km of forestland need to be developed for the purpose. Sources said that the Ministry and the State Department of Forest and Wildlife had already objected to the original Ghat Road proposal of the Public works Department. Tenders invited for the purpose at least thrice failed to attract any agencies earlier. However, the government believes that the proposal would benefit thousands of people as the distance from Kozhikode to Wayanad will be reduced to 54 km from the existing 85 km and it would provide a solution to the traffic problems on the Ghat Road.

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