Traffic regulations on Thamarassery Ghat Road from January 5

To facilitate timber removal and road-widening under a ₹37-crore project, the authorities will regulate traffic on the Thamarassery ghat stretch of the Kozhikode-Wayanad National Highway (NH) 766 from January 5 (Monday), a move likely to disrupt the heavy influx of visitors travelling to the hill district.

Earlier, as part of road-widening works, over 400 trees were cut at the sixth, seventh and eighth hairpin bends on the ghat road.

Officials of the national highway sub-division of the Public Works department said the restrictions were necessary as cranes had to be deployed to load felled trees onto lorries and to carry out repair works at hairpin bends.

Multi-axle and other heavy vehicles will be diverted via Nadukani or Kuttiadi Ghat routes. The authorities have urged motorists, particularly drivers of heavy vehicles, to strictly adhere to instructions to ensure safety and smooth execution of maintenance works.

As most traffic jams and accidents occur at these three narrow points, widening the three hairpin bends is expected to ease traffic congestion in the ghat section. The work includes widening the road, constructing footpaths, and installing handrails. Once completed, the road width will increase from 14.55 metres to 17.3 metres at the approaches to the curves and from 26.5 metres to 38.15 metres at the middle of the bends.

Meanwhile, Wayanad is experiencing a heavy rush of tourists during the holiday season, leading to severe traffic congestion on the Thamarassery Ghat Road in recent days.

To ease congestion, strict traffic regulations have been enforced. The entry of multi-axle vehicles had been restricted earlier, and their movement through the ghat section during daytime has now been completely banned. Currently, such vehicles are permitted to operate only at night.

In addition, more police personnel have been deployed at major hairpin bends and bottleneck points along the ghat road to regulate traffic. The authorities have advised travellers to Wayanad to plan their trips in advance and cooperate with traffic personnel.