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The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) has received state government approval for the long-pending cable car project across the Thamarassery Ghat road, bringing renewed optimism to tourism stakeholders in the Malabar region. The project will be implemented by Western Ghats Development (WGDL), a company backed by shareholders under the leadership of the Wayanad Chamber of Commerce (WCC). Estimated at Rs 1 billion, the cable car project has been in the pipeline for over eight years. It will span 3.5 km between Adivaram and Lakkidi, connecting Wayanad and Kozhikode districts. The project is expected to significantly reduce travel time on the winding 23-km Ghat road while offering panoramic views of the Western Ghats. Clearance from the Forest Department has been secured, and global tenders are expected to be invited for major civil works such as the construction of towers, base and upper stations, drive units, and the cable line. The project had earlier faced delays due to legal disputes over the initial site for the upper station in Lakkidi and the need to revise the original alignment. These hurdles required the WGDL team to redo technical assessments and seek fresh approvals. The cable car system, once operational, is projected to be the longest ropeway in South India at 3,670 metres. As per the detailed project report, the system will be capable of transporting 400 passengers per hour, providing a scenic and efficient alternative to the hairpin bends of the Ghat road. Tourism stakeholders view this development as a major boost to domestic tourism in Wayanad and Kozhikode, with expectations that the cable car will also lead to the emergence of related tourism infrastructure in the region. News source: The Hindu