The ongoing construction of National Highway 66 (NH-66) in Kerala has faced criticism following two consecutive incidents of road damage in the Malappuram and Kozhikode districts. These events have raised significant concerns regarding the quality of construction and the safety of commuters. On Monday, May 19, a segment of the under-construction NH-66 near Kooriyad in Malappuram collapsed, impacting the service road and the nearby retaining wall. The area, which was built on a reclaimed paddy field, suddenly gave way, resulting in noticeable cracks and a cavity in the road. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. However, just a day later, new cracks were found on the same stretch, heightening public anxiety. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has attributed the collapse to heavy rainfall. NHAI Project Director Anshul Sharma stated that water seepage and increased pore pressure beneath the surface displaced the soil, causing the damage. He refuted claims of inadequate construction, asserting that an expert committee would investigate the matter. In a media briefing, he remarked, “This caused the paddy field, where the road was constructed, to expand, crack, and slide, which led to the incident. The NHAI has appointed a three-member independent committee to visit the site on Wednesday to examine the incident and provide a report.” Vengara Panchayat President KP Haseena Fazal criticized the selection of construction materials, deeming it unscientific. She claimed that residents have been experiencing waterlogging issues annually due to the reconstruction. In response to the recent NH-66 road damage incidents, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated, “However, some recent incidents related to the construction are unfortunate and a cause for concern. In light of these incidents, we will convene a meeting with officials of the National Highways Authority at the earliest.
Opposition Leader VD Satheesan criticized both the Centre and the state government, asserting, “Nobody wants to install flex and take credit now” following reports of partial collapses and cracks appearing in various locations along the under-construction National Highway 66. He further stated, “What the government is emphasizing most as the fourth anniversary approaches is that they have completed the national highway project. Who is truly accountable for the highway’s collapse? Is it the Chief Minister, the state government, or the central government, who are celebrating under the guise of constructing the highway, yet bear no responsibility?” The National Highway is regarded as one of the most significant accomplishments of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led administration, with the state investing approximately 5,000 crore for land acquisition, given the high costs associated with land acquisition in the region. In the meantime, IUML MP ET Muhammad Basheer noted that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has promised that measures will be taken in response to the national highway collapse. In several areas, residents expressed their concerns and protested by blocking roads, demanding immediate and lasting actions to ensure their safety and avert further incidents. The Youth Congress also organized a protest.
