Cracks Raise Safety Concerns On NH 66 In Kerala

In Malappuram district, part of the retaining wall of the NH 66 project collapsed at Kooriyad, damaging three parked vehicles and leaving nearby residents alarmed.

The team will examine factors such as soil stability, design specifications, and construction practices to identify root causes and recommend corrective measures.

Source : Pixabay

Mounting structural issues along the under-construction National Highway 66 (NH 66) have raised serious safety concerns across multiple districts in Kerala. Cracks and partial collapses have been reported in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kasaragod, and Thrissur, triggering public anxiety and prompting government intervention.

In Malappuram district, part of the retaining wall of the NH 66 project collapsed at Kooriyad, damaging three parked vehicles and leaving nearby residents alarmed, as per reports. A day later, a service road caved in at Kasaragod, adding to the growing list of structural failures. Meanwhile, another long crack—spanning over 50 meters—was detected on the Chavakkad stretch of NH 66 in Thrissur, running above the Manathala flyover, which is currently under construction.

Probe To Be Launched

ET Muhammed Basheer MP stated on Wednesday that Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has assured a comprehensive investigation into the collapse of a portion of National Highway 66 at Kooriyad in Kerala’s Malappuram district, as per a report on PTI.

Chief Minister Promises Action

Calling the developments “unfortunate,” Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the state government would engage with NHAI to ensure construction practices are compatible with Kerala’s sensitive topography and environmental conditions, as per a report on The New Indian Express.

Following the Kooriyad incident, Malappuram Collector V.R. Vinod convened an emergency meeting involving local MLAs, senior district officials, and NHAI representatives. Describing the situation as deeply concerning, the Collector underscored the urgency of preventive measures to avoid further mishaps.

This is not the first collapse to hit the region.