19-05-2025
NH-66 collapse on service road at Kooriyad triggers concerns
Kozhikode: A section of the under-construction NH-66 between Kolappuram and Kooriyad bridge collapsed around 2:30pm in Malappuram. The collapse, including the retaining wall, fell onto the service road built over a filled paddy field, causing it to crack.
The nearby paddy field also cracked and formed a small mound due to the incident. The collapse occurred on the stretch from Kozhikode towards Thrissur.
At that time, four cars on the service road were caught in the collapse. One was carrying a wedding party from Tirurangadi and another had Kavungal Liyakath Ali, former president of AR Nagar grama panchayat. Ali told the media that as the highway collapsed right in front of their car on the way from Kolappuram to Kakkad, the driver stopped at once and everyone ran back to escape.
Passengers in other vehicles, who had minor injuries, were taken to a private hospital in Tirurangadi. After getting an alert, a team of CPOs led by Vengara SHO Rajendran Nair and residents helped move vehicles from the site. One car still remains there. Two cars on the service road were damaged when concrete interlock blocks from the retaining wall and mud fell on them.
Residents blocked a KNR Constructions vehicle, claiming unscientific construction caused the mishap.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan
ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan
Get Quote
Undo
They said they had repeatedly warned authorities about the poor construction, especially after waterlogging on the service road during rains, but no action was taken.
The retaining wall on the elevated road through the fields was built with interlocking cement blocks, which collapsed. People said precast retaining walls should have been used due to the road's height. They demanded that the entire stretch be rebuilt.
After the incident, traffic in the area came to a halt. Vehicles from Kozhikode to Thrissur via Kolappuram and Kakkad were completely blocked. Authorities directed all vehicles to use the VK Padi–Mamburam–Kakkad route instead.
IUML MP ET Mohammed Basheer said the road collapse during construction at Kooriyad stretch of NH-66 was a serious issue. He urged authorities to address public concerns quickly. Basheer blamed a major structural flaw in the construction for the incident and criticized National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for not taking such recurring incidents seriously.
Following the incident, the MP contacted district collector VR Vinod and NHAI officials over phone and urged them to implement immediate remedial measures.
