Authorities will regulate traffic on the Thamarassery ghat stretch of NH 766 starting January 5 to support a ₹37-crore timber removal and road-widening project. This move may disrupt the large number of visitors traveling to Wayanad hill district. Over 400 trees were already cut at the sixth, seventh, and eighth hairpin bends as part of widening work. National highway officials said the restrictions are needed to deploy cranes for loading felled trees and carrying out repairs at hairpin bends. Multi-axle and heavy vehicles will be diverted through Nadukani or Kuttiadi Ghat routes. Authorities urged vehicle drivers to follow instructions strictly to ensure safety and smooth progress. The road widening includes expanding the width from 14.55 metres to 17.3 metres at curve approaches and from 26.5 metres to 38.15 metres at mid-bends. Footpaths and handrails will also be built. This work aims to reduce traffic jams and accidents at the three narrow hairpin bends. Meanwhile, Wayanad is seeing a tourist rush during the holiday season, causing heavy congestion on Thamarassery Ghat Road. To ease this, multi-axle vehicles are banned during daytime and allowed only at night. More police personnel are deployed at key bends to manage traffic. Travelers to Wayanad are advised to plan their trips ahead and cooperate with traffic officials.