Parliament Question: Increasing Road Accidents on NH 66 in Kerala

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3173 ANSWERED ON 06TH AUGUST, 2026 INCREASING ROAD ACCIDENTS ON NH 66 IN KERALA 3173. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has taken note of the increasing number of road accidents, traffic congestion and public complaints on various stretches of National Highway (NH)-66 in Kerala during the ongoing widening and construction works; (b) if so, the details thereof, including the number of accidents, fatalities and injuries reported on NH-66 in Kerala during the last three years, stretch-wise; (c) whether the Government has conducted any safety audit of the ongoing National Highway projects in Kerala, particularly with regard to traffic diversion arrangements, signage, drainage, pedestrian safety and construction standards; (d) the corrective measures taken or proposed to ensure safe movement of vehicles, timely completion of the projects and effective monitoring of contractors; and (e) the present status of all National Highway projects under implementation in Kerala, indicating the original completion schedule, revised timeline, project cost and reasons for delay, if any? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)(a) and (b) Road accident data is being collected from the States/Union Territories on a calendar year basis and publishes the same in its annual publication, "Road Accidents in India". The number of road accidents, persons killed and persons injured on all National Highways in the State of Kerala, including on National Highway (NH) 66, during the years 2022 to 2024, are as under: Year Number of Number of Number of accidents fatalities injuries 2022 17627 1197 17799 2023 10640 1056 12105 2024 9757 940 11060 2025* 9438 917 11556 *as per data available on eDAR portal as on 05.08.2026. (c) Independent Road Safety Audits (RSAs) are conducted by qualified independent auditors during the project implementation stage as well as periodically during the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) stage to identify and address potential road safety deficiencies. (d) National Highways (NHs) works are carried out as per standards, guidelines, manual, code of practice of Indian Roads Congress as well as specifications for Road and Bridge Works. Necessary road safety measures inter-alia includes provision of crash barriers, signage boards and safety markings, foot over bridges, etc. are taken up during design, construction, operation and maintenance stages. Road Safety Audit is carried out for the independent assessment of newly constructed roads before opening of the National Highways to commercial traffic. All identified road safety issues, including those related to road signage and markings are addressed before the road is opened to the public. Subsequently, during the operation of the project highway, assessment is carried out at regular intervals to identify safety issues that may have emerged during operation stage and necessary remedial measures are taken in a time-bound manner. (e) The details of National Highway projects under implementation in the State of Kerala are given at Annexure-I and II, respectively.Annexure - I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3173 ANSWERED ON 06TH AUGUST, 2026 ASKED BY SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL REGARDING INCREASING ROAD ACCIDENTS ON NH 66 IN KERALA. Details of National Highway projects being implemented by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the State of Kerala Sr Project Stretch Total Total Schedule Physic Completi Completi . lengtProjec d al on Date on Date N h t Cost Completi progre (except For o (Km) (Cr) on Date ss (%) Viaducts Viaducts, ) ROB etc. 1 6L of Chengala- 37.3 2538. 11.04.20 91 31.05.20 31.03.20 Neeleshwaram 06 24 26 27 2 6L of 40.1 3867. 11.04.20 87 31.05.20 31.03.20 Neeleshwaram- 66 24 26 27 Thalipparamba 3 6L of 29.9 3557. 84 31.03.20 30.04.20 Thalipparamba- 65 26.05.20 27 28 Muzhapilangadu 24 4 6L of Azhiyur- 40.8 3898. 31.05.20 68 31.03.20 30.03.20 Vengalam 46 25 27 28 5 6L of 33.2 4225. 26.01.20 95 30.06.20 30.06.20 Kappirikkad- 59 25 26 27 Thalikkulam 6 6L of 28.7 4302. 14.02.20 94 30.06.20 30.06.20 Thalikkulam- 06 25 26 27 Kodungallur 7 6L of 26 3606. 21.04.20 71 31.12.20 31.05.20 Kodungallur- 2 25 26 27 Edapally 8 6-lane Elevated 12.7 2382. 31.01.20 91 06.01.20 ----- Highway Aroor- 83 26 27 Thuravoor 9 6L of Thuravoor- 38.4 2638. 12.09.20 81 31.12.20 31.05.20 Paravoor 67 24 26 27 1 6L of Paravoor- 37.5 3273. 24.02.20 77 30.04.20 30.11.20 0 Kottukulangara 61 25 27 27 1 6L of 31.5 3680. 07.10.20 77 30.04.20 31.12.20 1 Kottukulangara- 49 24 27 27Start of Kollam Bypass 1 6L of Start of 31.2 3023. 28.02.20 96 30.06.20 30.06.20 2 Kollam Bypass- 78 25 26 27 Kadambattukona m 1 6L of 29.8 3451. 11.08.20 77 30.04.20 7.67 Km 3 Kadambattukona 76 25 27 Viaduct m-Kazhakuttom descope d. 1 Rectification of 4 2.4 130.5 21.08.25 41 ---- 31.07.20 4 Nos blackspots 5 27 in Thiruvananthapu ram bypass section 1 Widening of 124. 1231. 25.06.25 64 ---- 31.03.20 5 Kochi – Munnar 6 74 27 to 2L/2L+PS. 1 Rectification of 12.1 510.2 28.07.26 57 ---- 31.01.20 6 11 Nos 8 27 blackspot from Walayar to Angamaly 1 Rectification of 17.3 678.4 13.03.28 2.5 ---- 13.03.20 7 17 Nos 0 28 blackspot from Walayar to Angamaly 1 Balance work of 1.9 125.9 05.03.20 62.5 ---- 30.12.20 8 widening of 4 6 26 26 nos existing 2 Lane major Bridge of Six- laning of Kozhikode Bypass 1 Construction of 1.1 40.40 20.05.20 65 ---- 31.05.20 9 an underpass at 26 27 km 184.850, supply & installation ofStreet lighting, Construction of Service roads and other miscellaneous works in Thalassery Mahe bypassAnnexure - II ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3173 ANSWERED ON 06TH AUGUST, 2026 ASKED BY SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL REGARDING INCREASING ROAD ACCIDENTS ON NH 66 IN KERALA. Details of National Highway projects being implemented by the National Highways Wing of State Government of Kerala Sl National Highway project original revised proje reasons for N under implementation completion timeline ct delay o schedule cost 1 Widening to 2 lane with 22.08.2019 EOT 294.2Due to paved shoulders from km granted 6 protest 87/000 to km 133/720 upto from locals (Nattukal to Thanau Jn in 30.05.2 and people Palakkad) of NH 966(Old 025. representat NH 213) on EPC mode ives, the toll plaza location shifted from original proposed place to another location. 2 Geometrical 18/05/2026 18.02.2 37.16 Delay in Improvements at Ghat 027 tree section of Thamarassery cutting Churam on NH766 at occurred selected 3 locations due to where forest land is made delay in available and the getting chainages (i) Hairpin bend permission no.6(km 50+400 to from forest 50+620) (ii) Hairpin bend department no.7(km 51+590 to . 51+680) (iii) Hairpin bendno.8(km 51+860 to 51+900) in the State of Kerala under Annual plan 2024-25 on EPC mode 3 Short term improvement 28.10.2026 1.999 and routine maintenance 3 works on NH 185 for thr stretches from km 15/500 (Pakuthipalam) to km 42/725 (Double cutting) and from km 56/550(Vellayamkudi) to km 61/000 (Vallakkadavu) under short term maintenance contract (STMC) for the year 2025- 26 4 STMC from 106/700 to 11.11.2026 2.59 126/700 of NH 183 in the state of Kerala 5 GENERAL - STMC 2025-26- 15.01.2027 4.999 Short term improvement 7 and routine maintenance km 76/000 -117/000 of NH 766 in the state of Kerala 6 Short term improvement 18/05/2027 4.92 between km 160/000 to 215/450 (except km 172/700-185/500 and 205/180-210/000) of NH 183 in state of Kerala 7 Performance based 5 10.03 maintenance between Km year (11/09/ 83 89.10(Kanamala) to Km 2029) 103.20 (Erumely)of NH 183 A under PBMC mode 8 Performance based 28.07.2029 25.53 maintenance Contract of (Five year 64 NH 183A from maintenanc Bharanikkavu (km 0/000)- e contract) Nellimootilpadi (km 16/000), Adoor (km 17/200)- Kaipattoor (km27/300) and Pathanamthitta Ring road to Mylappra (900m stretch in km32/940 to km 37/300) in the State of Kerala- PBMC 2023-24 9 Performance based 5 year ( 26.92 maintenance Contract 9.6.2031) 73 work between Plappally km 72/390 to Kanamala km 86/660 and Erumeli km 103.200 km to Mundakkayam junction km 116.800 of NH 183A in state of Kerala under PBMC Maintenance Plan 2025-26. 1 Performance based 5 year ( 31.27 0 maintenance 6.5.2031) Contract work from Km 72/700 to Km 74/700 and Km 126/700 to 160/000 of NH 183 under PBMC Maintenance Plan 2025-26. 1 Black spot rectification 14/02/2025 12/05/202.419PBMC Work 1 work at 26 4 was Cinimaparambu(Km ongoing in 1/900),Kadampanadu this stretch (Km6/250(KL‐(04)04)), and only Ne‖imukal(11/000),Vellakul after angara(km 14/750), resurfacing Pannivizha(Km 17/900(KL‐ in (03)035)),Mankuzhy(km PBMC,this 26/800),Omalloor (km work was 29/000 (KL‐ (031‐ started 037)),Pathanamthitta Stadium Jn.(Km 32/940(KL‐ 103)‐ 036))of NH 183 A in the state of Kerala in item rate mode under Road safety Annual plan 2023-241 Black spot rectification 14/01/2026 15/05/2010.20Labour 2 work in Manorama 26 51 shortage, Junction (km107.2 to Force 108.2: KL-(03)- majure, 52,Plantation Junction Raw (km 109.35 to 110.00: material KL(03)-051),Annadivayal scarcity junction (km 117.35 to 118: KL-(03)-047, Nedumkuzhy/9th Mile (km 124/850-125/400:Kl-(03)- 050) in NH 183 the State of Kerala in EPC mode under Road Safety Annual Plan 2023-24-Reg. *****