**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1994 regarding the progress of development works on National Highway-66 in Kerala, answered on December 11, 2025. It outlines the current status, expected completion times of various NH-66 development stretches, and measures taken to avoid construction issues and ensure public safety. The completion dates for projects stretch into August of 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Overall Progress**:
* The government has reviewed the progress of NH-66 development works in Kerala.
* Details on the current status and expected completion times are annexed.
* **Safety and Structural Integrity**:
* An Expert Committee has been appointed to review vulnerable slope and embankment protection measures along NH-66 from the Karnataka/Kerala border to Thiruvananthapuram.
* Suggestions of the Expert Committee are being verified, and remedial measures are being taken.
* These works are targeted for completion along with the respective projects.
* Technical and Safety Audits will be conducted at vulnerable locations on NH-66 as needed.
* **Accountability**:
* Necessary penal actions have been taken against defaulting Concessionaires/Contractors and Consultants.
* **Annexed Details**:
* The annexure provides a breakdown of 16 ongoing projects on NH-66.
* It includes the stretch name, length (in km), scheduled revised date of completion, and physical progress (%).
* Completion dates range from March to August 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Government (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways)**
* **Impact:** Required to oversee and ensure the timely and safe completion of the NH-66 development works.
* **Action Required:** Continue monitoring project progress, implementing expert committee recommendations, conducting safety audits, and enforcing penalties for non-compliance.
**Stakeholder: Contractors and Consultants**
* **Impact:** Accountable for adhering to project timelines, quality standards, and safety regulations.
* **Action Required:** Implement remedial measures based on Expert Committee suggestions, cooperate with Technical and Safety Audits, and avoid actions that may lead to penalties.
**Stakeholder: General Public / Commuters**
* **Impact:** Directly benefit from the improved infrastructure and increased safety on NH-66.
* **Action Required:** Exercise caution during construction, be aware of potential delays, and report any safety concerns.
**Stakeholder: Kerala State Government**
* **Impact:** Affected by the improved connectivity and economic development due to NH-66 upgrades.
* **Action Required:** Coordinate with the Central Government and provide necessary support for project implementation.
Key Entities Referenced
NH-66: National Highway-66, the subject of development works and safety measures in Kerala.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The primary ministry responsible for the development works of NH-66.
Kerala: The state where the development works on NH-66 are taking place.
Expert Committee: Committee appointed by the Government to review slope and embankment protection measures on NH-66.
Lok Sabha: The house of parliament to which the question was addressed.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1994
ANSWERED ON 11TH DECEMBER, 2025
DEVELOPMENT WORKS OF NH-66 IN KERALA
1994. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has reviewed the progress of the development
works of National Highway-66 in Kerala, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the present status of works in each of the stretches;
(c) the expected time of completion of the development works in all the
stretches; and
(d) the details of measures taken by the Government to avoid construction
issues in NH-66 in view of the structural collapses and to ensure public safety
during the construction works?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (c) Yes Sir. The details are Annexed.
(d) Government has appointed an Expert Committee to review vulnerable
slope and embankment protection measures along NH-66 from
Karnataka/Kerala border to Thiruvananthapuram. The suggestions of the
Expert Committee are being verified as per the site conditions and the
remedial measures are being taken. All such works are targeted to be
completed along with the completion of respective projects.Necessary penal actions have been taken against the defaulting
Concessionaire/Contractor and Consultants.
Further, Technical and Safety Audits will be conducted at vulnerable
locations on NH-66, as per requirement.ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1994 ANSWERED ON 11TH DECEMBER, 2025
ASKED BY ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH REGARDING ‘DEVELOPMENT WORKS OF
NH-66 IN KERALA’.
On-going Projects on NH-66
Scheduled Physical
S. Length
Stretch Name Revised Date Progress
No (in Km)
of Completion (%)
1 Chengala to Neeleshwaram on NH-66 37.27 31.06.2026 82.7
2 Neeleshwaram to Thalipparamba 40.11 31.06.2026 83.6
3 Thalipparamba to Muzhapilangadu 29.95 30.06.2026 80
4 Azhiyur to Vengalam 40.8 31.08.2026 60
Balance work of widening of 4 nos
existing 2 Lane major Bridge of Six-laning
5 1.895 05.03.2026 48.5
of Kozhikode Bypass (Calicut Bypass)
(i.e. Vengalam Jn. to Ramanattukara Jn.)
Construction of an underpass at km
184.850, supply & installation of Street
6 lighting, Construction of Service roads 1.13 20.05.2026 14
and other miscellaneous works in
Thalassery Mahe bypass
7 Kappirikkad-Thalikulam 33.17 31.03.2026 83.1
8 Thalikulam-Kodungallur 28.84 31.03.2026 78.7
9 Kodungallur- Edapally 26.03 31.05.2026 64.9
Elevated Corridor from Aroor to
10 12.75 30.06.2026 78.5
Thuravoor Thekku
11 Thuravoor Thekku – Paravoor 38.39 31.05.2026 62.2
12 Paravoor to Kottukulangara 37.5 31.03.2026 71.2
Kottukulangara to start of Kollam
13 31.5 25.03.2026 72.8
bypass
14 Kollam Bypass to Kadambattukonam 31.25 31.03.2026 81.8
15 Kadambattukonam to Kazhakuttom 29.83 30.05.2026 44.3
16 Rectification of 4 Nos of Blackspot 2.42 30.06.2026 24.1
Total 422.835
Km
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