NH-66 Near Kerala's Malappuram Collapses Amid Rain, Questions Raised On CM Vijayan's 'Big Feat'

News18

22-05-2025

Last Updated:
On Monday, May 19, a section of the under-construction NH-66 near Kooriyad in Malappuram collapsed.
The ongoing construction of National Highway 66 (NH-66) in Kerala has come under scrutiny after two consecutive incidents of road damage in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts. The developments have sparked serious questions about construction quality and commuter safety.
On Monday, May 19, a section of the under-construction NH-66 near Kooriyad in Malappuram collapsed, affecting the service road and adjacent retaining wall. The area, built over a reclaimed paddy field, gave way suddenly, resulting in visible cracks and a cavity in the road. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. However, just a day later, fresh cracks were discovered on the same stretch, intensifying public concern.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has attributed the collapse to heavy rainfall. According to NHAI Project Director Anshul Sharma, water seepage and increased pore pressure beneath the surface displaced the soil, leading to the damage. He dismissed allegations of poor construction, stating that the matter would be investigated by an expert committee.
Addressing the media, he said, 'This caused the paddy field, where the road was constructed, to expand, crack, and slide, which caused the accident. The NHAI has appointed a three-member independent committee to visit the area on Wednesday to inspect the incident and submit a report."
Vengara Panchayat President KP Haseena Fazal criticised the choice of construction materials, calling it unscientific. She alleged that residents have been facing waterlogging issues every year due to the reconstruction.
Addressing the recent NH-66 road damage incidents, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, '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."
He further added, 'What the government is promoting the most on the eve of the fourth anniversary is that they fulfilled the national highway project. Who is really responsible for the collapse of the highway? The Chief Minister, the state government, or the central government, who are celebrating in the name of building the highway, has no responsibility."
The National Highway is being viewed as one of the biggest achievements of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government, as the state has spent around 5,000 crore for land acquisition, considering the high cost of land acquisition in the state.
Meanwhile, IUML MP ET Muhammad Basheer mentioned that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has assured that action will be taken regarding the national highway collapse.
In many locations, locals raised concerns and protested by blocking roads, demanding immediate and permanent measures to ensure their safety and prevent further incidents. The Youth Congress also held a protest.
The incident occurred near Kooriyad in Malappuram, with cracks reported in Chavakkad, Thrissur, and fresh damages in Kuppam, Kannur. This led to a section of the elevated Kooriyad service station highway to collapse onto the adjoining service road.
The retaining wall gave way, causing damage to three vehicles, including a car that was crushed. Fortunately, no injuries or casualties have been reported.
The recurring damage has raised major safety concerns, especially as this stretch of NH-66 is a vital link for thousands of daily commuters and commercial transport between Kozhikode and Thrissur.
First Published:
May 22, 2025, 11:35 IST