The proposed Hill Highway project connecting Nilambur in Malappuram district and Meppadi in Wayanad district has received a shot in the arm with the State government announcing its decision to explore the possibility of a new alignment through the region to make the project a reality.

Replying to a submission in the Assembly, Public Works department Minister P.K. Basheer said the other day that the possibility of a new alignment for the Nilambur–Munderi–Meppadi road will be examined, although the area has been classified as landslide-prone by the State Disaster Management Authority.

Joint inspection

According to him, as part of the project, officials from the Kerala Road Fund Board (KRFB), National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), Forest department and the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) had conducted a joint inspection of the site, where there are currently no roads along the proposed alignment.

The study then found that the construction of the road along the existing alignment is impractical. However, the Minister said that although the proposed alignment passes through a highly ecologically sensitive area in the Western Ghats, efforts are being made to revise the current alignment and implement the proposed route.

People in the region have long been demanding the project as the Thamarassery and Nadukani passes are the only major routes through which people from Malappuram district can enter Wayanad. Traffic jams at both passes often create difficulties, apart from the travel restrictions imposed when monsoon is strong. If implemented, the project is expected to cut the distance between Wayanad and central Kerala by 70 km. It will also shorten the distance from Kochi to Bengaluru and Mysuru by 70 km.

The project is also expected to boost the tourism potential of the region as the road would connect Nilambur, Adyanpara waterfalls, Kakkadampoil hills, Meenmutty waterfalls, Soochipara waterfalls, Kanthanpara waterfalls, Chembra peak, Meppadi, Ambalavayal and Edakkal Caves. However, the earlier proposed alignment was shelved after it was found that the project would cause extensive damage to the region’s biodiversity.