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Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre gives assurance, construction of NH-66 to be completed by Dec: Kerala minister
NEW DELHI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The central government has promised to complete the ongoing construction of the National Highway 66 project, spanning from Kasaragod in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south, by December this year, Kerala Public Works Minister P A Mohammed Riyas said on Wednesday. The assurance was given by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari during a meeting with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in New Delhi, he said. The state government would continue to extend all support to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to complete the much-awaited infrastructure project in a time-bound manner, Riyas told reporters in Delhi after taking part in the meeting attended by Gadkari and Vijayan. "Gadkari has opined that the construction of the NH 66, between Kasaragod and Thiruvananthapuram, will be completed by December 2025. If there are any other issues in this regard, all those things will be examined and resolved, and the project will be taken forward," the minister said. As of now, the Centre has assured that the project can be dedicated as a new year gift to the people in 2026, he said. Sharing more details about the meeting, Riyas said Rs 6700 crore projects, submitted for road development in the state, have received central approval. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo As many as 14 projects submitted by Kerala to the Centre have been approved, he said, adding that it has also been informed that the state will receive Rs 151 crore of the amount due under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) scheme this week itself. Gadkari assured that the 380-metre-long road, which was damaged during the construction of NH 66 in the Kuriyad area of Malappuram, would be reconstructed as a viaduct (a type of long bridge) at the contractor's own expense. Quoting the union minister, Riyas further said that the Kollam-Senkotta Greenfield (NH 744) would be approved within three months. The state minister also said that a directive has been received to prepare a DPR for the construction of a road connecting National Highway 66 to the Kozhikode International Airport. Riyas's statement came hours after the opposition Congress in Kerala on Wednesday demanded a CBI probe into the recent collapse and damage of sections of National Highway 66 across the state following heavy rains. Criticising the Left government in the state for not seeking any inquiry so far into the issue, the grand old party said only a comprehensive probe can uncover the alleged corruption involved in the construction of national highways in the state. Riyas, however, sought to belittle the matter and said though there are certain issues in some reaches of the under-construction highway, the work is progressing in a remarkable manner generally. "The state government will continue to extend all support to complete the construction. It is not going to be discontinued anyway," he said. The PWD minister added that the state government had urged the union minister to take strong action over issues arising from the NH 66 construction and ensure a timely completion of the project. The Centre, in turn, gave assurance in both these matters, he added. "Had a productive meeting with Hon'ble Union Minister Shri @nitin_gadkari Ji in Delhi to review the progress of ongoing National Highway projects in Kerala. Thank you for your continued support," CM Vijayan tweeted later. Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, during a press meet in Malappuram, pointed to the alleged engineering lapses in the NH construction. Besides an investigation into the technical aspect by an expert panel, a comprehensive probe should be conducted into the "corruption" involved in it, he alleged. "A large-scale probe should be carried out into the lapses in road (national highway) constructions in the state. A CBI probe should be ordered. Corruption to the tune of thousands of crores of rupees has happened in it," Satheesan told reporters in Malappuram. He claimed that the opposition has received clear indications of some people within the state government who allegedly granted favours to the contract company, which is now facing allegations over the construction of the NH in the state. The leader further alleged that the Pinarayi Vijayan government's silence on the serious issue of the NH collapse stems from its apprehension to speak out against the union government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The LoP's demand for a CBI probe came days after CM Vijayan had made it clear that the full responsibility for the construction of the national highway lies with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Vijayan had said the development of the National Highway, which had been stalled due to the severe apathy of the previous UDF government, became possible solely because of the determination of the LDF government. The political blame game erupted following the collapse of a section of the under-construction National Highway 66, the appearance of cracks in parts of the road, and soil slips in areas where hills had been levelled for construction in central and northern Kerala after continuous rainfall two weeks ago. The incidents were reported from Thrissur, Malappuram, Kannur and Kasaragod districts. PTI Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
LDF government's self-congratulatory progress report cannot fool people: Satheesan
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Saturday accused the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of misleading the public with a progress report that praises itself while ignoring glaring failures. Addressing a press conference in Kottayam, Mr. Satheesan said the LDF government's fourth anniversary report released by the government 'hides more than it reveals.' 'The progress report was drafted before the national highways began to crumble. Those who once took credit for these projects are now nowhere to be seen. If they went to the damaged spots and shot a few reels, that would at least be somewhat useful,' he quipped, in an apparent reference to Minister for Public Works P.A. Mohamed Riyas. He also demanded a comprehensive investigation into allegations of corruption in the construction of National Highway 66, along with inquiries into lapses in engineering supervision and the questionable awarding of sub-contracts. Financial woes Mr. Satheesan also dismissed the Chief Minister's recent assertion that there was no financial crisis in the State. 'If that is true, then why hasn't the government paid the Medical Services Corporation Ltd, Supplyco, ASHA workers, or mid-day meal kitchen staff?' he asked. Citing dues of ₹60,000 crore in salary arrears, unpaid bills in the Jal Jeevan Mission and the loss incurred by KSEB, Mr. Satheesan alleged widespread financial mismanagement. 'Rubber support price has remained low, while procurement of paddy and coconuts has failed. The coastal and high-range development packages, which were announced with much fan-fare, remain unimplemented,' he said. The Opposition leader also exuded confidence about the United Democratic Front (UDF)'s prospects in the upcoming local body elections and held that it is poised for a significant victory.
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Cave-ins, cracks and blame game: Why NH-66 has landed Kerala's Vijayan govt in a spot
The plight of the National Highway 66 in various stretches in Kerala has triggered a political storm, with the Opposition Congress-led UDF slamming the ruling CPI(M) which showcases the highway development as a 'major feat' of the party-led LDF government over the last nine years of its rule. The Kerala leg of the NH-66 being built for several years is in the final stages of construction now. It is being expanded into a six-lane highway running from the state's northern parts to its southern border simultaneously, with a new deadline set for its completion before the Assembly elections slated for early 2026. However, several portions of the NH-66 have developed cracks or caved in during the ongoing pre-monsoon spell, bringing to light some alleged defects in its construction. Cracks have developed mainly along the stretches in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Thrissur districts. On May 19, a stretch of 200 metres in Malappuram, which was built along a paddy field, had collapsed. The construction of NH-66 in Kerala has been listed on top of the LDF government's progress report which marked its nine years at the helm earlier this week. Addressing a rally in Thrissur on May 14 to celebrate his second term's fourth anniversary, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the widening of the highway was one of the 'impossible tasks' that his government 'turned into reality'. Kerala Public Works Minister Muhammed Riyas said the state government has been working closely with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which is steering the multi-state 1,600-km NH-66 project. The state government, Riyas said, has been ensuring local-level review meetings and frequent field visits at various stretches of the under-construction highway. The Kerala government has also highlighted its contributions to the project through land acquisitions. Kerala has borne 25% of the land acquisition cost for the project, which is said to be around Rs 5,600 crore, with the remaining funds coming from the Centre. Pointing to this figure, the Vijayan government has been taking credit for the project. However, several mishaps, such as the May 19 incident in Malappuram, have now put the CPI(M) on the back foot over it. On Thursday, while pointing to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Centre, Vijayan appeared to deflect the blame of the alleged construction defects. 'The construction of the national highway is done by the NHAI. Neither the state government nor Public Works Department has any role in it. But certain quarters have been trying to depict the present issues as a fault of the state government. That will not work. Their (the Opposition Congress-led UDF) issue is why we, the LDF, took up the project that they had abandoned,' the CM said at a public rally in Kollam. The Congress has, however, continued to blame the LDF government over the problems besetting the construction of NH-66. Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan, on Friday said, 'The state government has no coordination with the NHAI in the construction. The state's role was taking credit for the work and promotional reels. The CM now admits the state had no role in the national highway work. Cracks had developed at least in 50-odd locations. Let the PWD minister take reels from all such spots for his promotion. The real crack has developed on the government claim on its fourth anniversary,' Satheesan said. The national highway development has been a vexed issue in Kerala under the regimes of both the LDF and the UDF for the last two decades. As compared to other states, Kerala has lagged behind on highway development due to the alleged 'retrogressive' stand of the successive governments towards issues like land acquisition and private participation. Under LDF CM V S Achuthanandan, the state government had been opposed to the national highway development under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. The Achuthanandan government had even asked the Centre to drop the BOT model for NH-66 and wanted to reduce its width to 30 metres. When the UDF government led by Congress leader Oommen Chandy came to power in 2011, the impasse had continued over the NH-66 project as the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways was unwilling to build a 30-metre wide highway, as decided by an all-party meeting in the state following widespread protests over land acquisition. The high cost of land acquisition in urban Kerala has also been another concern, with many people unwilling to yield their land at the rate fixed by the government. In 2013, the UPA government at the Centre introduced the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, and brought the national highway development under its ambit. After the LDF returned to power in Kerala in 2016, the state was ready to bear 25% of the cost of land acquisition, which ensured better prices for the land owners.
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Cave-ins, cracks and blame game: Why NH-66 has landed Vijayan govt in a spot
The plight of the National Highway 66 in various stretches in Kerala has triggered a political storm, with the Opposition Congress-led UDF slamming the ruling CPI(M) which showcases the highway development as a 'major feat' of the party-led LDF government over the last nine years of its rule. The Kerala leg of the NH-66 being built for several years is in the final stages of construction now. It is being expanded into a six-lane highway running from the state's northern parts to its southern border simultaneously, with a new deadline set for its completion before the Assembly elections slated for early 2026. However, several portions of the NH-66 have developed cracks or caved in during the ongoing pre-monsoon spell, bringing to light some alleged defects in its construction. Cracks have developed mainly along the stretches in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Thrissur districts. On May 19, a stretch of 200 metres in Malappuram, which was built along a paddy field, had collapsed. The construction of NH-66 in Kerala has been listed on top of the LDF government's progress report which marked its nine years at the helm earlier this week. Addressing a rally in Thrissur on May 14 to celebrate his second term's fourth anniversary, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the widening of the highway was one of the 'impossible tasks' that his government 'turned into reality'. Kerala Public Works Minister Muhammed Riyas said the state government has been working closely with the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which is steering the multi-state 1,600-km NH-66 project. The state government, Riyas said, has been ensuring local-level review meetings and frequent field visits at various stretches of the under-construction highway. The Kerala government has also highlighted its contributions to the project through land acquisitions. Kerala has borne 25% of the land acquisition cost for the project, which is said to be around Rs 5,600 crore, with the remaining funds coming from the Centre. Pointing to this figure, the Vijayan government has been taking credit for the project. However, several mishaps, such as the May 19 incident in Malappuram, have now put the CPI(M) on the back foot over it. On Thursday, while pointing to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) under the Centre, Vijayan appeared to deflect the blame of the alleged construction defects. 'The construction of the national highway is done by the NHAI. Neither the state government nor Public Works Department has any role in it. But certain quarters have been trying to depict the present issues as a fault of the state government. That will not work. Their (the Opposition Congress-led UDF) issue is why we, the LDF, took up the project that they had abandoned,' the CM said at a public rally in Kollam. The Congress has, however, continued to blame the LDF government over the problems besetting the construction of NH-66. Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan, on Friday said, 'The state government has no coordination with the NHAI in the construction. The state's role was taking credit for the work and promotional reels. The CM now admits the state had no role in the national highway work. Cracks had developed at least in 50-odd locations. Let the PWD minister take reels from all such spots for his promotion. The real crack has developed on the government claim on its fourth anniversary,' Satheesan said. The national highway development has been a vexed issue in Kerala under the regimes of both the LDF and the UDF for the last two decades. As compared to other states, Kerala has lagged behind on highway development due to the alleged 'retrogressive' stand of the successive governments towards issues like land acquisition and private participation. Under LDF CM V S Achuthanandan, the state government had been opposed to the national highway development under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. The Achuthanandan government had even asked the Centre to drop the BOT model for NH-66 and wanted to reduce its width to 30 metres. When the UDF government led by Congress leader Oommen Chandy came to power in 2011, the impasse had continued over the NH-66 project as the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways was unwilling to build a 30-metre wide highway, as decided by an all-party meeting in the state following widespread protests over land acquisition. The high cost of land acquisition in urban Kerala has also been another concern, with many people unwilling to yield their land at the rate fixed by the government. In 2013, the UPA government at the Centre introduced the Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, and brought the national highway development under its ambit. After the LDF returned to power in Kerala in 2016, the state was ready to bear 25% of the cost of land acquisition, which ensured better prices for the land owners.
India Today
22-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
No flexes now: Kerala Congress leader slams state, Centre over highway collapse
Kerala Leader of Opposition and Congress legislator VD Satheesan condemned both the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government and the Centre following Monday's collapse of an under-construction highway in Malappuram district. 'Nobody wants to install flex boards and take credit now,' Satheesan said, referring to the earlier publicity blitz celebrating the project. 'What the government is promoting the most on the eve of its fourth anniversary is that they fulfilled the national highway project. But who is really responsible for the collapse — the Chief Minister, the state government or the central government?'advertisementSatheesan alleged widespread irregularities in the construction of the highway, calling it 'unscientific' and accusing the state government of rushing the project for electoral gains. 'The state government has no coordination with the National Highways Authority. Drinking water supply lines have been broken. There are not even underpasses in many places. If the rains start, lives will be at risk,' he added, demanding six-lane National Highway-66 which is being built collapsed near Kooriyad in Tirurangadi on Monday, raising serious concerns over construction quality and public safety. The protective wall of the elevated highway crumbled onto a car on the service road near the Kooriyad service station. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The collapse, which occurred along the Kozhikode –Thrissur stretch, prompted a swift diversion of traffic in the area. advertisementHowever, this was not an isolated incident. Cracks have been reported in Chavakkad, Thrissur, while fresh damages surfaced in Kuppam, Kannur — indicating broader structural issues in the ongoing highway construction National Highway 66 project is one of the flagship infrastructure initiatives under the Vijayan government, which has spent nearly Rs 5,000 crore on land acquisition alone, given the high real estate costs in the however, credited the project's land acquisition success to the UPA-era Right to Fair Compensation Act, arguing that the current government is merely 'showing off' due to a lack of real Indian Union Muslim League MP ET Muhammad Basheer stated that Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had assured him that appropriate action would be taken.
