A GPS survey using drones will be carried out soon as part of efforts to realise the Poozhithode–Padinjarathara road, one of the alternative routes proposed to bypass the dangerous hairpins on the Thamarassery pass. The Chief Wildlife Warden has granted permission to conduct the survey in the identified forest area after finding it to be the safest option.

Lidar, one of the advanced remote sensing methods for surveys, will also be explored for the task. A base location will be set up outside the forest area to limit all chances of physical movement inside the forest. Details of all technicians, contractors, and labourers to be deployed for the work will be submitted to the Chief Wildlife Warden ahead of the commencement of the work.

The survey will mainly cover the area that falls within the Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary. It will exclude the previously surveyed spots outside the forest boundaries in Kozhikode and Wayanad districts. A copy of the survey report will also be submitted to the Chief Wildlife Warden to comply with the regulations.

The State government has already granted ₹1.5 crore to complete a feasibility study for the proposed 28.83-km project. For over 25 years, the proposal had been hanging in the balance due to various technicalities related to the approximately 12-km forest area on the route.