The Public Works Department (PWD) has taken a significant step forward in the development of the long-proposed Poozhithode-Padinjarathara road, which promises to enhance connectivity between Kozhikode and Wayanad districts. Nodal officers have now been officially appointed to spearhead the initial phases of this crucial infrastructure project.
During a high-level meeting held on Monday, September 29, chaired by Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, key personnel were assigned to ensure smooth coordination. Hashim V.K., Executive Director (Roads Division) of PWD, Kozhikode, was designated as the primary nodal officer for overseeing the construction efforts. Complementing this, PWD Additional Secretary Shibu A. will serve as the nodal officer responsible for liaising with other governmental departments to streamline inter-departmental activities.
Minister Riyas has set an ambitious timeline for the project, instructing officials to finalize the road’s alignment by October 15 and to submit the preliminary Detailed Project Report (DPR) by October 25. A comprehensive final DPR will follow these initial inspections. Emphasizing the project’s importance, the Minister highlighted its eager anticipation among residents of both Kozhikode and Wayanad, reiterating the department’s unwavering commitment to bringing this vital road to fruition.
The Poozhithode-Padinjarathara road, stretching between Poozhithode in Kozhikode’s Chakkittapara grama panchayat and Padinjarathara in Wayanad, is widely recognized as the most practical, ecologically sound, and straightforward alternative to the existing Wayanad Ghat Road. Its completion is expected to vastly improve travel and transport between the two districts.
Originally launched in 1994, the project saw about 70% of its initial work completed before facing a significant hurdle: opposition from the Forest Department. This setback arose because a 9 km stretch of the proposed 27.225 km road traversed reserved forest land. Back in 1994, a total of 183 families – 150 from Wayanad and 33 from Kozhikode – had already generously contributed land for the project. Of the total length, approximately 14.285 kilometers have been completed, including a 2 km section from Poozhithode to Panakkamkadavu, a 5 km mud road from Panakkamkadavu to Karinkanni on the Kozhikode side, and the Padinjarathara-Kappikkalam section on the Wayanad side. This leaves approximately 12.94 km remaining, primarily the disputed forest area where the Forest Department raised environmental concerns in 1995.
In 2024, the State government allocated ₹1.5 crore for a comprehensive feasibility study, which has recently been finalized.
The findings of this study have been submitted to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change through their ‘Parivesh’ portal (Pro-Active and Responsive Facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous, and Environmental Single Window Hub). The progression of this ambitious road project now hinges on receiving the necessary environmental clearance from the Ministry.