New Delhi: In a major relief for the much-awaited Wayanad tunnel project, the Supreme Court of India has dismissed an appeal seeking to halt its construction, firmly backing the project’s significance and terming it a “lifeline” for Kerala.
The plea, filed by the Wayanad Nature Protection Committee, challenged the project on environmental grounds, alleging that mandatory clearances were not properly obtained for the Category A project. The petitioners had urged the court to stay construction.
However, a bench led by Justice Surya Kant observed that the Kerala High Court had already examined all aspects of the case in detail. The apex court ruled that there was no reason to interfere with the High Court’s decision.
Highlighting the importance of expert evaluation, the court stated that infrastructure projects of this scale must rely on technical assessments rather than general opinions. It noted that expert panels, including those associated with the central government, had found that the tunnel could be constructed without causing significant environmental damage.
The court also made it clear that if any norms or conditions are violated during construction, the petitioners have the option to approach the National Green Tribunal (Chennai bench) for further action.
Reinforcing its stance, the court подчеркed that all approvals were granted only after thorough scrutiny by both central and state authorities, a process that was also validated by the High Court.
With this verdict, the path is now clear for the Wayanad tunnel project to move ahead, marking a crucial step in Kerala’s infrastructure development.
