First rock blast for Kerala’s tunnel road project successfully completed under safety measures

First rock blast for Kerala's Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel road project successfully completed under safety measures, inaugurated by Chief Minister Vijayan.

The first controlled rock blast at the site of the proposed Anakkampoyil-Kalladi-Meppadi tunnel road project connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad districts of Kerala was carried out on Friday (March 6, 2026), with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan formally inaugurating the process under stringent safety measures at Marippuzha in Kozhikode district.

Hundreds of people, including local residents and local body representatives, gathered to witness the live telecast at the Muthappanpuzha ALP school at 12.15 p.m. Entry of public had been restricted to the site as part of the safety measures in place around the project area.

The site of the blast which was prepared for the inaugural event on Friday (March 6, 2026) | Photo Credit: special arrangement

Minister for Public Works P.A. Mohamed Riyas presided over the function. Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran, Linto Joseph, MLA, and Thamarassery Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil were among those present.

Officials who oversaw the process said the rock blasting was undertaken after completing several preliminary arrangements, including the construction of a temporary bridge, installation of fuel tanks and the setting up of labour camps and crusher units.

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had earlier granted Stage – II clearance for the project, a flagship infrastructure initiative of the Kerala government. The approval permitted the conversion of 17.26 hectares of forest land under provisions of the Forest (Conversion) Act, 1980 for the execution of the project.