**Executive Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' response to a parliamentary question regarding ongoing National Highway construction in Kerala. It details breakages, cracks, and mishaps during construction, actions taken against responsible parties, contractor information, and audits conducted. Key dates include the submission of an expert team report on July 3, 2025, and a committee formation on May 24, 2025, with visits between June 11 and July 14, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Incidents and Actions Taken:**
* Show cause notices were issued to concessionaires and promoters (e.g., Megha Engineering, Azhiyur Vengalam Road Pvt. Ltd., KNR Construction Ltd.) for incidents like soil nailing collapse and retaining wall collapse.
* Penalties, debarment, and temporary suspensions from future NHAI bids were imposed on concessionaires and Independent Engineers (IE).
* The Project Director of NHAI was suspended, and the services of a site engineer were terminated in one instance.
* Penalties were imposed for girder collapse and scaffolding failure.
* Temporary rectifications were completed for cracks in service roads, bridges, and main carriageways at various locations.
* Restoration work is in progress for underpass settlement, cavity formation, and embankment failures.
* **Expert Committees and Audits:**
* NHAI formed a team of experts to analyze embankment and retaining structure failures, which submitted a final report on July 3, 2025, regarding a failure in Kooriyad.
* An expert committee was formed on May 24, 2025, to assess vulnerable locations of Reinforced Soil (RS) Walls and slope protection works on NH66, with site visits from June 11 to July 14, 2025; the report is pending.
* **Contractor/Subcontractor Details:**
* The document lists concessionaires/contractors engaged by NHAI for various NH construction projects in Kerala, including Uralungal Labour Contract Co-Operative Society Ltd, Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited, Vishwa Samudra Engineering Pvt.Ltd, Azhiyur Vengalam Road Pvt Ltd, Calicut Expressways Pvt Ltd, KMC Constructions Ltd, KNR Ramanattukara Infra pvt Ltd, KNR Guruvayur Infra pvt Ltd, Kappirikkad Highways Pvt Ltd, Kodungallur Highways Pvt Ltd, Oriental Structural Engineers Pvt. Ltd, Ashoka Buildcon Ltd, KCC Buildcon Pvt Ltd, SEW Infrastructure Ltd, Viswa Samudra Engineering Pvt Ltd, Kollam Highways Pvt Ltd, RDS Project Ltd Kazhakuttom, RK Chavan Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, Cherian Varkey Construction Company, EKK Infrastructure Ltd, PST Engineering Construction.
**Impact Analysis**
**National Highways Authority of India (NHAI):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for implementing remedial measures, conducting audits, forming expert committees, and taking action against non-compliant contractors/concessionaires.
* *Action Required:* Implement recommendations from expert reports, monitor ongoing construction for vulnerabilities, and ensure contractors adhere to quality standards.
**Contractors/Concessionaires:**
* *Impact:* Subject to penalties, debarment, or suspension for failures and mishaps during construction. Responsible for rectifying defects at their own cost.
* *Action Required:* Address show cause notices, implement remedial measures, cooperate with expert committees, and adhere to quality standards to avoid penalties and suspensions.
**Independent Engineers (IE):**
* *Impact:* Subject to penalties and debarment for lapses in oversight.
* *Action Required:* Improve monitoring and oversight of construction activities to ensure adherence to quality standards and prevent mishaps.
**Citizens/Commuters:**
* *Impact:* Potentially affected by construction delays, road closures, and safety concerns due to construction defects.
* *Action Required:* Exercise caution near construction zones and report any safety concerns to the relevant authorities.
Key Entities Referenced
National Highway NH construction in Kerala: Ongoing National Highway construction projects in the state of Kerala, which are the subject of the parliamentary question.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the development and maintenance of the national highways.
National Highways Authority of India NHAI: The agency responsible for the construction, maintenance, and management of national highways in India.
NH66: National Highway 66, a major national highway in India, sections of which are under construction in Kerala.
IIT Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, an engineering institute whose experts were involved in analyzing failures in highway construction.
IIT Kanpur: Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, an engineering institute whose experts were involved in analyzing failures in highway construction.
IIT Gandhinagar: Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, an engineering institute whose experts were involved in analyzing failures in highway construction.
Kerala: A state in India where National Highway construction is underway and facing issues like breakages, cracks and mishaps.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 835
ANSWERED ON 24TH JULY, 2025
ONGOING NH CONSTRUCTION IN KERALA
835. SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार् गमंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any data on the number of
breakages, cracks and mishaps during the ongoing National Highway
(NH) construction in Kerala and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the actions taken against the concerned persons to set a
deterrent for preventing future mishaps;
(c) the details of the contractors/sub-contractors engaged in the
construction of National Highways; and
(d) whether any audit has been conducted across the National
Highway construction sites in light of these incidents to review the
design, construction and drainage works and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a)& (b) The details are annexed.
(c) The details of the contractors/sub-contractors engaged by
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the State of Kerala for
the construction of National Highways are annexed.(d) NHAI has constituted a team of Experts [Dr. Anil Dixit (PhD, IIT-
Delhi); Dr. Jimmy Thomas (PhD, IIT-Kanpur); Dr. K Mohan Krishna
(PhD, IIT-Gandhinagar)] under the supervision of a Retired Professor
from IIT-Delhi, Shri G.V. Rao to analyse the failure and recommend
remedial measures. Expert team submitted the final report on
03.07.2025 regarding failure of Embankment andRetaining Structures
in Km. 276.78 and Km. 277.160 of the project (Kooriyad).
Further, NHAI constituted on 24.05.2025 an Expert Committee
comprising of a Senior CRRI Scientist (Retd.), an Associate Prof. from
IIT-Palakkad, and the Deputy Director General from the Geological
Survey of India (GSI) to assess other potentially vulnerable locations
of Reinforced Soil (RS) Walls and Slope Protection Works in 17
ongoing projects on NH-66 in Kerala.
Expert Committee visited the entire stretch of NH-66 in Kerala
between 11.06.2025 to 14.07.2025 to assess the adequacy of the
protection methodologies adopted/being adopted/ proposed to be
adopted for slopes/embankments and other vulnerable locations and
to suggest necessary improvements. Report of the committee is
awaited.ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 835 ANSWERED ON 24TH JULY, 2025
ASKED BY SHRI K C VENUGOPAL REGARDING ‘ONGOING NH
CONSTRUCTION IN KERALA’.
Sl.
Details of collapse/Cracks Action Taken
No
1. Show cause notice issued
to Concessionaire and its
promoter M/s. Megha Engineering
& Infrastructure Ltd. for
debarment upto 1 year or
Incident of soil nailing collapse completion of rectification work,
in Ch. 58+035 to Ch. 58+100 whichever is later + penalty of
(RHS) in Chengala- 5% of Current value of failed
Neeleshwaram Section of NH-66.
work or 0.5% of Contract value
1 Moreover, cracks in Main
of whole work whichever is
Carriageway (MCW) and Service
more, besides temporarily
Road (SR) has been observed at
suspending them from
many locations along the project
participating in ongoing / future
reaches.
bids of NHAI for one month or till
they submit remedial measures
with proper studies /
demonstrate such failures do not
repeat.
Show cause notice issued to
Concessionaire M/s. Azhiyur-
Vengalam Road Pvt. Ltd. for
debarment upto 1 year + penalty
Though Soil nailing works
of Rs. 50 Lakh to Rs. 5 Cr.
collapsed from Km 191+820 to
Concessionaire is directed to
2 Km 192+100 (LHS), Km193+400
carryout rectification/ remedial
to Km 193+540 in the stretch of
Azhiyur-Vengalam. measures at their own cost.
Show Cause Notice issued to IE
for debarment upto 1 year &
penalty of Rs. 20 Lakh.Show cause notice issued to
Concessionaire and its promoter
M/s KNR construction Ltd. for
debarment upto 1 year + penalty
of 5% of Current value of failed
work or 0.5% of Contract value
of whole work whichever is more
Show Cause Notice issued to IE
for debarment upto 1 year &
penalty of Rs. 20 Lakh.
Collapse of retaining wall at
Kuriad in Ch. 276+780 and Further, Concessionaire &
277+160 (LHS) in Main Carriage
Independent Engineer have been
3 Way in the stretch of
temporarily suspended from
Ramanattukara Junction to start
participating in ongoing/future
of Valanchery Bypass section of
bids of NHAI for one month or till
NH-66.
completion of investigation by
the Expert Committee whichever
is later.
Concessionaire & IE has
approached Delhi High Court
against such action. Project
Director of NHAI is suspended
and services of site Engineer is
terminated.
4 nos. of girder collapsed in
Span P17-P18 (RHS) in Six Lane
of Highway from Thuravoor
Representative of consultant and
(Design Ch. 379+612) to
contractor was suspended and
4 Paravoor (Design Ch. 417+000)
applicable penalty (Rs. 15.4
section of new NH-66 (old NH-
Lakh) imposed to the contractor.
47) in the state of Kerala on EPC
mode under Bharatmala
Pariyojana.
Failure/Collapse of scaffolding of Penalty of Rs. 9.55 Lakhs has
Minor Bridge (under been imposed on concessionaire
construction) at Km.Ch.
and Concessionaire has
5
497+370(RHS) has occurred in
terminated the service of the
the Start of Kollam Bypass to
Engineer responsible
Kadambattukonam Project.A service road wash-off was Temporary connection of drain
observed at Mavungal, Kanhangad with box culvert was completed
6
in Kasaragod District at Km 81.94 and service road was restored for
(LHS) in 15m. traffic movement.
1. Cracks were observed in 1. Temporary slope protection
some portion of Service works were implemented at
Road at Km 84+4 LHS. site and construction of
2. Longitudinal cracks at Km Retaining Wall and Drain
81.5 MCW Works would be taken up
after rainy season.
7
2. The crust layers have been
removed upto embankment
top and relaying works are in
progress.
Longitudinal cracks at Km 109.5 The crust layers will be removed
8 MCW and thereafter works will be taken
up as required.
Cracks in approaches of Paloli Temporary rectification of cracks
9 Moorad Bridge has been completed.
Cracks in MCW at Thalapara Temporary rectification of cracks
10 has been completed.
Cracks were observed in MCW at Temporary rectification of cracks
11 Chavakkad has been completed.
Under pass settlement at Neeravil The existing VUP has been
12 dismantled and new VUP
construction is in progress
Formation of Cavity was observed Temporary restoration has been
13 on RHS approach of Viaduct at Ch. completed.
60.95
Settlement of Main Carriageway Restoration work in progress.
14 at Alathur Swathy junction
Embankment failures near Temporary measures for retaining
Kayamkulam Bridge (Alappuzha embankment in progress.
15
District) and Chavara Bridge
(Kollam District)ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 835 ANSWERED ON 24TH JULY, 2025
ASKED BY SHRI K C VENUGOPAL REGARDING ‘ONGOING NH
CONSTRUCTION IN KERALA’.
The details of the contractors/sub-contractors engaged by NHAI in the
construction of National Highways
Concessionaire/
Project Name PIU
Contractor*
M/s Uralungal Labour
6-laning of Thalappady to Chengala on
Kannur Contract Co-Operative
NH-66 (Old NH-17) on HAM Mode.
Society Ltd.
M/s. Megha
6-laning of Chengala to
Engineering and
Neeleshwaram on NH-66 (Old NH-17) Kannur
Infrastructures
on HAM Mode.
Limited
M/s. Megha
6-laning of Neeleshwaram to
Engineering and
Thalipparamba on NH-66 (Old NH-17) Kannur
Infrastructures
on HAM Mode.
Limited
6-laning of Thalipparamba to
M/s Vishwa Samudra
Muzhapilangadu on NH-66 (Old NH-17) Kannur
Engineering Pvt.Ltd
on HAM Mode.
6-laning of Azhiyur to Vengalam on M/s Azhiyur Vengalam
Kozhikode
NH-66 (Old NH-17) on HAM Mode. Road Pvt Ltd
6-laning of Existing Kozhikode Bypass M/s Calicut
(i.e. Vengalam Jn. to Ramanattukara Kozhikode Expressways Pvt Ltd
Jn.) of NH-66 on HAM mode.
Balance work of widening of 4 nos M/s KMC
existing 2 Lane major Bridge of Six- Constructions Ltd
laning of Kozhikode Bypass section of Kozhikode
NH-66 in the State of Kerala on EPC
Mode.
6-laning of Ramanattukara to M/s KNR
Valanchery on NH-66 (Old NH-17) on Cochin-I Ramanattukara Infra
HAM Mode. pvt Ltd
6-laning of Valanchery to Kappirikkad M/s KNR Guruvayur
Cochin-I
on NH-66 (Old NH-17) on HAM Mode. Infra pvt Ltd
4/6-laning of Kappirikkad-Thalikulam M/s Kappirikkad
Cochin-I
of NH-17 (New NH-66) on HAM Mode. Highways Pvt Ltd4/6-laning of Thalikulam-Kodungallur M/s Kodungallur
Cochin-I
of NH-17 (New NH-66) on HAM Mode. Highways Pvt Ltd
6-laning of Kodungallur- Edapally of Oriental Structural
Cochin-II
NH-66 (Old NH-17) on HAM mode. Engineers Pvt. Ltd
6 lane Elevated Corridor from Aroor to Ashoka Buildcon Ltd
Thuravoor Thekku section of NH Cochin-II
66 on EPC Mode.
6 Laning of Thuravoor Thekku – KCC Buildcon Pvt Ltd
Paravoor section of NH-66(Old NH-47) Cochin-II
on EPC Mode.
6 laning of Paravoor to SEW Infrastructure
Kottukulangara section of NH 47(new Ltd
Kollam
NH 66)(Design Ch:417.00 to Design
Ch:454.500) on EPC mode.
6 laning of Kottukulangara to start of Viswa Samudra
Kollam bypass section of NH 47 (New Engineering Pvt Ltd
Kollam
NH-66) (Design Ch: 454+500 to Design
Ch 486+00) on HAM mode
6-laning of Start of Kollam Bypass to Kollam Highways Pvt
Kadambattukonam of NH-66 (Old NH-Trivandrum Ltd
47) on HAM Mode.
6-laning of Kadambattukonam to M/s RDS Project Ltd &
Kazhakuttom of NH-66 (Old NH-47) on Trivandrum M/s RK Chavan
EPC Mode. Infrastructure Pvt Ltd.
M/s Cherian Varkey
Rectification of 4 nos of Blackspots in
Trivandrum Construction
Thiruvananthapuram Bypass
Company
Widening/Development of Existing NH- M/s EKK
85 from Km 0.000 to Km 124.636 Cochin-II Infrastructure Ltd
section to 2L/@L+PS section
Rectification of 11 Nos Blackspots in M/s. PST Engineering
the stretch of Walayar – Angamaly Palakkad Construction
Section of NH-544
* Concessionaire in case of HAM project and Contractor in case of EPC
projects.
*****