Widening of Thamarassery Ghat hairpin bends to begin soon

Wayanad: The widening of the 6th, 7th, and 8th hairpin bends on the Thamarassery Ghat Road, a key route connecting Wayanad to the plains, is set to proceed following confirmation from the Forest Department that the required land will be handed over to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

The ₹37-crore project, awarded to Choudhari Construction Company, New Delhi, aims to ease traffic congestion along the 9-km stretch, particularly during weekends and peak tourist season. It involves widening the hairpin bends, constructing footpaths and handrails, and building protective retaining walls. Upon completion, the road width will range from 14.55–17.3 metres at the entry points of curves to 26.5–38.15 metres at the centre of the hairpin turns.

The project received approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2022. Preliminary activities, including undergrowth clearing and marking trees for felling, have already begun. The Forest Department has identified trees for auction and is finalising their valuation, with officials stating that NHAI will not have to pay additional compensation.

The Public Works Department had previously acquired 0.92 hectares of forest land from the Forest Department for Rs. 32 lakh in April 2018 as part of preparatory measures. The land belongs to the Kanalad Forest Section within the Thamarassery Forest Range. Divisional Forest Officer U. Ashique Ali said all departmental formalities are almost complete.