Mananthavady: The recurring nightmare of traffic congestion and landslides at Wayanad Pass has once again raised alarm, with the Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM) of the Mananthavady Diocese calling for urgent intervention. Highlighting the plight of daily travelers, Diocese President Bibin Pilappilly stressed that the long-standing travel bottleneck through the Thamarassery Pass has become unbearable, particularly during the monsoon and summer months, when landslides and blockages frequently disrupt movement.
The KCYM pointed out that the situation has reached a breaking point, as emergency passengers including patients in ambulances, students, government officials, and farmers face relentless distress while navigating the pass. The movement underscored that this persistent problem is not just a matter of inconvenience but a critical roadblock for Wayanad’s overall growth, directly hampering its tourism potential and economic development.
Calling attention to the Poozhamthode-West Coast alternative road project, which has been under discussion for years without progress, KCYM leaders demanded that the government fast-track its construction. They argued that such a road would not only ease congestion at the pass but also provide Wayanad with a lifeline to the outside world during emergencies. “The time for discussions is over what we need now is a time-bound action plan,” the KCYM emphasized, urging political parties and public representatives to rise above rhetoric and deliver concrete results.
The organization also made it clear that it is prepared to intensify its efforts if immediate measures are not initiated. “The youth of Wayanad deserve safe and reliable connectivity, and the future of our region depends on decisive action today,” the diocesan unit declared.
At the meeting, Vice President Ashna Palarikunnel, General Secretary Vimal Kochupurakkal, Secretaries Duna Maria Kizhakkemannur and Justin Luckose Nilamparambil, Treasurer Naveen Jose Pulakudiyil, Director Fr. Santo Ambalathara, and Animator C. Ross Tom SABS joined in voicing their concerns, pledging full support to the cause.