Parliament Question: Development of NH-66 in Kollam

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 901 ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2026 DEVELOPMENT OF NH-66 IN KOLLAM 901. SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has initiated an effective monitoring mechanism for the time-bound completion of work on National Highway (NH)-66 and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has fixed any schedule for the completion of work on NH-66 in Kollam Lok Sabha Constituency, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has conducted any study regarding the safety of the earth- retaining walls constructed in Kollam Lok Sabha Constituency in light of the collapse of earth-retaining walls at Mylakkadu, Kottiyam, if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government has found that the earth-retaining walls constructed along NH-66 in Kollam Lok Sabha Constituency are not up to the required safety standards, if so, the details of the places where viaduct elevated highways on pillars were recommended; and (e) whether the Government has initiated action to ensure the safety of NH-66 in Kollam Lok Sabha Constituency and if so, the details thereof?ANSWER THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) Government has established a framework to review the progress of all on- going National Highway work including work on National Highway (NH) 66. This involves review at project, State and Central level in the Government involving all stakeholders including the State Government. (b) Following projects are under implementation in the Kollam Lok Sabha Constituency: Sl. Project Original Scheduled Revised Scheduled No date of completion date of completion 1. 6-laning of kottukulangara to 08.10.2024 31.12.2027 Start of Kollam Bypass 2. 6-laning of Start of Kollam 31.03.2025 30.06.2027 Bypass kadambattukonam (c) to (e) Independent Geotechnical Agencies have been engaged, under the supervision of Geotechnical Experts from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad and IIT Delhi, to assess the safety of the earth-retaining walls. Detailed soil investigations and borehole testing have been undertaken, and the designs are under verification, based on the above field investigation data/ soil conditions. The design of constructed earth retaining walls are under verification. Further, at Mylakkadu (Km. 504.4), Concessionaire is constructing 120m viaduct at its own cost. *****