**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 1888 in Lok Sabha, answered on December 11, 2025, regarding drainage issues and flooding on National Highway-66 in Kannur. It addresses concerns raised by Shri K. Sudhakaran about the impact of the highway's six-laning work. The document outlines mitigation measures, corrective actions, and technical aspects related to drainage and water flow.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Flooding and Slush Ingress:**
* The government is aware of the issue in Kuppam Area.
* Mitigation measures include channelizing water flow, cleaning downstream drains, and constructing permanent drainage and slope protection works.
* For areas where outfalls are unavailable due to habitation, resolution is sought through consultation with State Government/Local Bodies.
* Local Bodies are directed by Chief Secretary to take up outfall works outside National Highway Right of Way.
* **High Embankment Impact:**
* Adequate cross-drainage structures (culverts, minor bridges) are being provided in low-lying paddy fields to maintain natural water flow.
* Longitudinal lined drains with cross culverts have been added in built-up areas for proper stormwater discharge.
* Local drainage issues are being reverified, and designs revised accordingly.
* **Cross-Drainage and Retaining Walls:**
* The project includes multiple cross-drainage structures such as box culverts and balancing culverts.
* Retaining walls and cross drainage are being implemented as per site-specific requirements and the concession agreement.
* Annexures detail the Cross Drainage Structures.
* **Project Implementation and Audit:**
* The projects are being implemented under Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)/Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC).
* The Concessionaire/Contractor is responsible for detailed design, subject to review and approval by the Independent/Authority Engineer.
* The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is indicative, and drainage designs are being verified for site suitability.
* An Expert Committee submitted a report on 04.08.2025 on Reinforced Soil Walls and Slope Protection Works after inspecting vulnerable locations; actions are underway per the report.
* **Pre-Monsoon Activity:**
* The government issues regular internal directions to implementing agencies, including NHAI, to conduct pre-monsoon activities.
* NHAI has instructed the Concessionaire to expedite drainage-related construction works before the next monsoon.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Local Residents of Kuppam and Taliparamba, Kannur District**
* **Impact:** Residents are affected by flooding and slush ingress into their homes due to highway construction blocking natural water flow.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of the ongoing mitigation measures being implemented by the government to alleviate flooding issues. Cooperate with local authorities for any necessary outfall works.
**Stakeholder: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) / Concessionaire**
* **Impact:** They are responsible for executing the corrective drainage works, including constructing cross-drainage structures and retaining walls, to address the flooding issues.
* **Action Required:** Expeditiously complete all construction and drainage-related works before the onset of the next monsoon. Verify drainage designs for suitability and site conditions.
**Stakeholder: State Government/Local Bodies**
* **Impact:** They are involved in resolving drainage issues where outfalls are unavailable due to habitation.
* **Action Required:** Undertake outfall works beyond the National Highway Right of Way (ROW), as directed by the Chief Secretary. Coordinate with NHAI and local residents to ensure effective drainage solutions.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The ministry responsible for addressing the drainage and flooding issues on NH-66.
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): The implementing agency directed by the Ministry to complete corrective drainage works.
National Highway-66: The specific location where drainage issues and flooding are occurring, particularly between Taliparamba and Muzhappilangad in Kannur District.
Lok Sabha: Referenced as the parliamentary body where the question regarding the drainage issues was raised.
Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)/Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC): The mode of project implementation for the works on NH-66.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1888
ANSWERED ON 11TH DECEMBER, 2025
DRAINAGE ISSUES AND FLOODING ON NH-66 IN KANNUR
1888. SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the severe flooding and entry of
slush into residential homes in Kuppam and Taliparamba, Kannur District,
caused by the ongoing six-laning work of National Highway-66, Taliparamba to
Muzhappilangad stretch, if so the details thereof;
(b) whether it has been identified that the high embankment construction
has blocked natural water flow channels and traditional drainage systems in
these low-lying paddy zones, forcing local residents to stage protests and
block the highway, if so the details thereof;
(c) the specific details of the cross-drainage works and retaining walls
planned to rectify this engineering flaw;
(d) whether the Ministry has directed the National Highways Authority of
India (NHAI)/concessionaire to complete these corrective drainage works
strictly before the onset of the next monsoon to prevent the submergence of
villages and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether any technical audit has been conducted to determine if the
original Detailed Project Report failed to account for the hydrological
requirements of this specific terrain and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)(a) Yes Sir. To address the issue of water logging and slush ingress, during
the monsoon season in 2025 and thereafter, mitigation measures including
channelizing water flow, cleaning of downstream drains, construction of
permanent drainage & slope protection works in the affected stretches etc.
are undertaken in Kuppam Area.
At some locations, outfalls are not available due to habitation. The issue
is being resolved through consultation with State Government/Local Bodies.
Chief Secretary has directed Local Bodies to take up the outfall works beyond
National Highway (NH) Right of Way (ROW).
(b) To address the issue of high embankment, adequate number of cross-
drainage structures, including culverts, minor bridges etc. in low-lying paddy
fields are provided, to ensure continuity of natural water flow. No instances of
village-wise flooding have been reported. In built-up areas, longitudinal lined
drains with cross culverts have also been provided to facilitate proper
stormwater discharge to nearest natural water channel. Wherever local
drainage issues have been brought to notice, they are being reverified and, if
necessary, the designs are being revised accordingly to mitigate issue.
(c) The project includes provision of multiple cross-drainage structures such
as box culverts, and balancing culverts at frequent intervals to effectively
cater storm water. Retaining walls and cross drainage are being executed as
per site-specific requirements and as per scope of Concession Agreement. The
details of Cross Drainage Structures are annexed.
(d) Government on time to time at regular internal issues direction to all its
implementing agencies including NHAI to take pre-monsoon activity before the
onset of Monsoon. NHAI has informed that the Concessionaire has been
instructed to expedite all construction works including drainage-related works
to complete before the onset of the next monsoon.
(e) The projects are being implemented on Hybrid Annuity Mode
(HAM)/Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC), wherein the responsibility
for detailed design lies with the Concessionaire/Contractor and the final
designs are subject to review and approval by the Independent/Authority
Engineer. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) is indicative in nature. All
drainage designs are being verified accordingly to ensure suitability to site
conditions.
An Expert Committee inspected the vulnerable locations in each project
with regard to Reinforced Soil Walls and Slope Protection Works and submitted
its report on 04.08.2025. Actions are being taken as per report of Committee.ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO. 1888 ANSWERED ON 11TH DECEMBER, 2025 ASKED BY SHRI K
SUDHAKARAN REGARDING ‘DRAINAGE ISSUES AND FLOODING ON NH-66 IN
KANNUR’.
Cross Drainage Structure
Sl. Span Arrangement
Site Design Chainage Proposed Structure Type status of work
No. (No. x Lx D)
1 134+744 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
2 135+110 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
3 135+877 1 x 3.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
4 136+788 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
5 137+230 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
6 137+729 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
7 137+961 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
8 138+878 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
9 139+202 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
10 139+492 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
11 139+852 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
12 140+231 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
13 140+421 1 x 3.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
14 140+657 1 x 3.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
15 141+128 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
17 141+830 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
18 142+128 1 x 3.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
19 142+458 1 x 3.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
20 142+591 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
21 143+049 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
22 143+450 1 x 3.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
23 143+900 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
24 144+757 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
25 145+160 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
26 146+400 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
27 146+597 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed28 146+797 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
29 146+997 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
30 147+457 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
31 147+617 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
32 147+997 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
33 148+000 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
34 148+200 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
35 148+400 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
36 148+600 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
37 149+747 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
38 149+947 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
39 150+092 1 x 3.00 x 3.00 Box Culvert completed
40 150+254 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
41 150+422 1 x 3.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
42 150+602 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
43 151+207 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
44 151+359 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
45 151+647 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
46 152+037 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
47 153+797 1 x 3.00 x 3.00 Box Culvert completed
48 153+900 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
49 153+997 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
50 154+112 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
51 154+207 1 x 6.00 x 3.00 Box Culvert completed
52 154+407 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
53 154+600 1 x 5.00 x 3.00 Box Culvert completed
54 154+801 1 x 3.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
55 156+077 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
56 156+492 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
57 156+734 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
58 157+391 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
59 157+781 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
60 157+929 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
61 158+181 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
62 158+347 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed63 158+554 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
64 159+071 1 x 3.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
65 159+290 1 x 3.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
66 159+377 1 x 3.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
67 160+040 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
68 160+174 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
69 160+381 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
70 160+585 1 x 3.00 x 3.00 Box Culvert completed
71 160+690 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
72 161+050 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
73 161+306 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
74 161+535 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
75 161+690 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
76 162+140 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
77 162+290 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
78 162+366 1 x 4.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
79 162+757 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
80 163+213 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
81 163+549 1 x 2.00 x 2.00 Box Culvert completed
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