Parliament Question: Safety and Structural Concerns in NH-66, Kerala

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6270 ANSWERED ON 02ND APRIL, 2026 SAFETY AND STRUCTURAL CONCERNS IN NH-66, KERALA 6270. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of reports alleging structural damage and safety concerns in certain stretches of National Highway (NH)-66 from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram; (b) whether the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated a safety audit of the entire stretch and the present status thereof; (c) whether soil quality, topography and high rainfall conditions specific to Kerala were adequately considered in the design and construction methodology adopted for NH-66; (d) whether the Government proposes to review the construction model adopted, particularly the use of embankments in vulnerable areas; and (e) whether directions would be issued to adopt elevated highway structures in geotechnically sensitive and flood-prone stretches to ensure long-term stability and public safety, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) to (e) In Kerala, instances of failures during construction have been reported including Retaining Soil (RS) Wall failure at Kooriyad (19.05.2025), girder collapse at Aroor–Thuravoor (13.11.2025), and RS Wall failure at Mylakkadu (05.12.2025).Expert Committees comprising Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), Geological Survey of India (GSI) and IIT Palakkad examined vulnerable locations and submitted reports on the cause of accidents and remedial measures. Safety audits have also been carried out in various select stretches of NH-66. The observations, inter alia, relate to soil conditions, bearing capacity, terrain characteristics and high rainfall conditions, as well as adequacy of ground non-improvement and fill material in embankment/RS wall locations. Geotechnical investigations have been carried out at RS wall locations; design aspects have been reviewed, including consideration of structural alternatives at select locations. Structural options, including use of viaduct/elevated structures at select locations, have been considered based on technical and site-specific factors. *****