As the construction of National Highway 66, a dream project for Kerala, progresses, the cracks and collapses reported across several districts have sparked serious concerns. Incidents of road caving and fissures in districts like Malappuram, Thrissur, Kannur, and Kasaragod have alarmed residents, especially in southern Kerala. These fears have intensified with the onset of the monsoon.
Although major accidents have not yet occurred in Kollam, Alappuzha, and Thiruvananthapuram districts, waterlogging on both service roads and main roads is severely disrupting traffic in many areas. The approach roads to underpasses at major junctions are raised like embankments, causing rainwater to gush into service roads. Massive interlock blocks stacked up to 50 feet high on mud embankments are intimidating for local residents.
A Milestone in Development, But...
Stretching from Kanyakumari to Panvel in Mumbai, NH 66 passes through Kerala for 644 kilometers. Divided into 22 reaches, the project was aimed for completion before the 2026 assembly elections. However, given the current situation, its timely completion is now in doubt.
Construction Flaws
There have already been multiple minor accidents during construction in Kollam and Alappuzha. Notable among them are the collapse of massive girders during flyover construction in Alappuzha and a failed concrete pour during bridge work in Ayathil, Kollam. At Kottiyam, a huge concrete interlock from an elevated road section fell onto a service road, narrowly avoiding casualties.
Heavy rains have turned the service roads at Kottiyam and Parippally into muddy, flooded stretches where vehicles frequently get stuck, causing traffic jams that last for hours. Despite the involvement of top construction firms, the collapse of the NH at Kooriyad in Malappuram led the central government to debar the contractor KNR Constructions and take action against responsible officials.
Were Topography and Climate Ignored?
The growing concern is that the construction approach has disregarded Kerala’s topography, weather conditions, and soil characteristics. Roads have been built across low-lying fields and rivers without ensuring proper soil reinforcement. Experts opine that the use of flyovers or pillars in such areas was overlooked, possibly to cut costs—leading to unscientific construction. The road collapse in Kooriyad was found to have resulted from overloading loose paddy field soil with massive embankments.
A Blow to Local Businesses
While NH 66 is expected to significantly boost Kerala’s development, it also poses challenges to thousands of commercial establishments. With a 45-meter wide six-lane highway and limited space for service roads, parking has become difficult for shops along the stretch. This has already led to the closure of many businesses, affecting numerous families, even though compensation was awarded.
Inconveniences for Commuters
Another major issue is the lack of proper waiting spaces for bus passengers at key junctions. At locations with schools and educational institutions, students are left exposed to the rain with no shelters. The situation cannot be remedied without acquiring additional land for bus bays. Traffic congestion lasting hours is now a regular feature at key junctions like Kottiyam, Chathannoor, Parippally, and Chavara. The lack of parking for auto-rickshaws and taxis is also a significant concern. According to Adv. Kottiyam N. Ajithkumar, President of Kottiyam Citizen’s Forum, local bodies have failed to act on these issues. Business owners are also worried about whether urban commercial zones will suffer adverse impacts from the new highway alignment.
There is no doubt that once fully operational, NH 66 will ease and secure road transport. However, the current construction flaws and the wide-ranging repercussions must be seriously addressed. The pressing question remains: When will these concerns be resolved?
