Kerala: Political mudslinging after part of NH-66 caves in
Residents blame ‘unscientific construction’ for collapse of highway stretch, demand ecological damage report, proof of compliance with construction norms
The fast-widening work of National Highway 66, from Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram, has become the latest flashpoint for political rivalry and public anger in Kerala after a stretch collapsed in Malappuram district.
What once stood as an emblem of development and cooperation between state and central agencies is now mired in controversy, casting a shadow over claims of infrastructural success.
Road collapse, repercussions
On May 19, a 200-metre stretch of the under-construction highway near Kooriyad in Tirurangadi gave way following continuous monsoon rains. While a child was injured, three vehicles had a close shave from falling into the cavity of the collapsed stretch of road. The incident sent shockwaves through the region, drawing attention to longstanding ecological concerns and triggering fierce exchanges between the ruling LDF and the opposition UDF.
Also read: NH 66 collapse in Malappuram: Gadkari assured probe, says MP
The contractor, KNR Constructions Ltd., based in Andhra Pradesh, came under immediate scrutiny. On Thursday (May 22), the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) blacklisted KNR Constructions, holding it responsible for the road collapse at Kooriyad. The decision has further fuelled ongoing debates about construction quality and oversight. Authorities are now prioritising accountability and safety measures to address the issue, as public and political demands for transparency and swift corrective action continue to escalate.
The 600-km highway stretches from Kerala’s Talapady to Thiruvananthapuram
Checks, fixes initiated
Following the discovery of cracks at multiple sections of the highway, the district administration initiated urgent inspections to assess the extent of the damage at several sites. The cracks, likely caused by structural weaknesses or environmental factors, prompted immediate damage control measures to ensure public safety and maintain infrastructure integrity. Teams were deployed to investigate the affected stretches, analyse the root causes, and implement temporary repairs. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) also planned comprehensive evaluations to prevent future occurrences, including soil testing and structural reinforcements.
Also read: Road ministry cites 'critical lapses', expands oversight on NH works implemented by states
‘Unscientific construction to blame’
Residents were quick to blame the authorities. “We had repeatedly warned the NHAI and the contractors about the risks of building on waterlogged paddy fields,” said Kavungal Liyakath Ali, former president of AR Nagar panchayat. Vengara panchayat president KP Haseena Fazal alleged that “unscientific construction and disregard for soil conditions led to the collapse.”
Residents claimed shoddy repair work had been done in April, following media reports of cracked cement bricks. NHAI in its preliminary findings, attributed the collapse to "pore water pressure" from excessive rainfall. But critics dismissed this explanation as inadequate.
Govt unfairly targeted: CM
The LDF, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, sought to distance the state government from the incident. In a sharp rebuke to the Congress-led Opposition, Chief Minister Pinarayi criticised it for politicising a project wholly overseen by NHAI. Speaking in Kollam, he said, “The LDF is being unfairly blamed for matters beyond its jurisdiction. The land was acquired as a national duty. There’s nothing wrong in that.” His comments followed fierce criticism from Opposition leaders, who accused the government of attempting to absolve itself of responsibility for the controversy.
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Opposition barbs
Opposition parties, however, used the incident to mount an aggressive attack on the LDF. Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan alleged serious lapses in supervision. “The government is more interested in putting up billboards than ensuring quality control,” he said. “There are widespread irregularities in the construction of NH-66. Political optics have taken precedence over public safety.”
IUML MP ET Muhammad Basheer took the matter to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, who reportedly assured a high-level investigation. The ministry has since announced that an expert committee led by IIT engineers will study the collapse. KNR Constructions’ bank guarantee has also been revoked pending further inquiry.
Troubled past
The project’s political history further complicates the narrative. The NH-66 expansion began during the UDF’s tenure, with an initial proposal to build a 45-metre-wide six-lane highway. However, faced with public protests over displacement and land acquisition challenges, the UDF proposed reducing the width to 30 metres. This move drew criticism from the NHAI, which warned it would undermine the project’s scope and safety.
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By 2016, only 11 per cent of the Rs 23,000 crore allocation had been spent, making Kerala one of the slowest states in NH development. When the LDF assumed power, it reversed the 30-metre proposal, agreeing to fund 25 per cent of land acquisition costs –amounting to Rs 5,580 crore over five years. This move unblocked the project, and by 2023, over 589 kilometres of NH works were underway, with NH-66 scheduled for completion by mid-2025.
Success story
LDF leaders showcased the highway as a symbol of their administrative efficiency. Billboards along NH-66 bore the chief minister’s image with slogans like “Kerala’s Future, Built by the LDF.” Press conferences regularly highlighted the state’s unique financial contribution to the project.
The UDF challenged this portrayal. “This is a central government project executed by NHAI. The LDF is taking credit for work it did not execute,” said Satheesan. IUML leader PK Kunhalikutty echoed the sentiment, adding, “It was during our tenure that land surveys and feasibility studies began. The LDF is simply reaping the benefits.”
Also read: Howrah cave-in triggers water crisis, leaves 70 families homeless
Public resentment
Public anger has grown since the collapse. Youth Congress workers staged protests in Malappuram, accusing both the state and Union governments. Residents of Taliparamba in Kannur voiced similar complaints about waterlogging and construction debris flooding homes. In AR Nagar, local panchayats have filed petitions, prompting the Kerala High Court to seek a detailed report on ecological damage and compliance with construction norms.
“This isn’t just about a collapsed road. It’s about families who now live in fear every time it rains, and farmers whose lands were sacrificed for a highway that failed them,” said social activist K Ajeeb, who has been documenting the impact of NH-66 construction in northern Kerala.
Shaken confidence
Yet, for many, the damage, both literal and symbolic, has already been done. The collapse has shaken public confidence in a project once hailed as a turning point in Kerala’s infrastructure. As the political blame game continues, the residents of Kooriyad and beyond wait for tangible action, not just promises and press conferences.
