The much-anticipated Chippilithode-Thalippuzha bypass project, championed by various local groups and authorities as a vital solution to the persistent traffic woes on the Thamarassery pass, has received a significant push forward. The Public Works Department (PWD) has officially opened tenders for the preparation of a comprehensive Detailed Project Report (DPR), with submissions closing on October 16.
This ambitious 14.5-kilometer bypass, a concept debated for decades, will traverse both private and forest lands. The current tender specifically requests a revised alignment plan, thorough soil testing, and a ground-penetrating radar survey. This DPR stage is a crucial leap, following previous surveys that unfortunately didn’t progress to concrete action.
According to insights from PWD officials, the DPR is essential for guiding future phases of land acquisition and refining the road’s path, particularly through Maruthilavu. The project necessitates acquiring approximately 38 hectares in total. This includes about 4.85 hectares of forestland and a substantial 21.1 hectares of private property within Kozhikode district alone. Additionally, around 12 hectares of combined private and forest land will be acquired in the Wayanad district.
Crucially, the new bypass design aims to eliminate hazardous curves. This development coincides with plans for the proposed four-laning of National Highway-766, which connects Kozhikode and Muthanga. This stretch is a critical artery for inter-state travel between Kerala and Karnataka, cutting through the ecologically delicate Western Ghats.
“The constant traffic bottlenecks on the Thamarassery ghat road, particularly during peak travel periods, are precisely why we’ve campaigned so passionately for the swift implementation of the Chippilithode-Thalippuzha bypass. It’s a project that has suffered from years of official neglect,” emphasized P. Vineesh, a proactive member of a local action council dedicated to supporting this initiative.
Local government representatives from Kodenchery panchayat highlighted that the Chippilithode-Thalippuzha bypass is one of five key proposed bypasses, alongside projects planned for Menangadi, Sulthan Bathery, Koduvally, and Thamarassery. They explained that these initiatives are designed to fundamentally improve inter-state and inter-district vehicle and goods movement, which currently relies heavily on the perilous Thamarassery ghat road.
In parallel with the DPR preparations, work is also set to commence shortly on widening three notoriously dangerous hairpin bends along the Thamarassery pass. Official sources confirmed that the government has allocated ₹35.49 crore for this vital widening project, which is anticipated to begin within the next three weeks.