Parliament Question: Structural Failures on NH-66 in Kerala

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3134 ANSWERED ON 06TH AUGUST, 2026 STRUCTURAL FAILURES ON NH-66 IN KERALA 3134. SHRI K C VENUGOPAL: Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) the total number and details of structural failures identified/reported along the construction and completed phases of National Highway (NH)-66 in Kerala during the last three years, district-wise; (b) the key findings and recommendations of the high-level expert committees regarding the structural issues along the said NH; (c) whether the Government has accepted any such recommendations and if so, the details thereof; (d) the details of monetary penalties, debarments or criminal actions initiated against the contractors, independent engineers and officials for construction lapses; and (e) the revised timeline for the completion of the NH-66 widening project in Kerala considering the ongoing safety audits? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI) (a) The structural failures are in the nature of failures of slope protection works, Reinforced Soil (RS) Walls during construction phase. The details are given in the Annexure-A; (b) & (c) The key findings of the Expert Committee are to conduct fresh geotechnical investigations including taking Boreholes and determination ofsubsoil properties, pull out tests on RE Wall, reverification of ground conditions after ground improvement & global stability analysis. Based on findings of the Expert Committee in their report dated 04.08.2025, these recommendations have been complied with by engaging the Experts from IIT and boreholes have been taken; (d) The details are given in the Annexure-A; and; (e) Out of 13 ongoing projects on NH-66, 11 projects will be completed in the year 2027 and 02 projects in the year 2028. The details are given in the Annexure-B.ANNEXURE-A ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) AND (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3134 ANSWERED ON 06TH AUGUST, 2026 ASKED BY SHRI K C VENUGOPAL REGARDING “STRUCTURAL FAILURES ON NH-66 IN KERALA” S Name Dis Details Chainage oMonth Name of Co Details of action taken against Default r. of Pro tricof Colla f collapse/ & Yea ncessionaireing Contractor/ Concessionaire/Consul N ject / t pse / Da damage r of Co/ Contractor tant o. Stretc mage llapse/ h Dama ge Concessionaire to construct the defec tive work at their own cost and pay pe M/s MEIL nalty of 5% of defective works. Conce ChengKa Collaps Km.58+04 June, Chengala Rossionaire/ promoter had self-restraine 1 ala-Nesar e of Slo to Km.58+ 2025 adways Pvt. d themselves from participating in the elesh ag pe Prote10 (RHS) Ltd (promotebids of implementing agencies of MoR wara od ction r Megha) TH till 19.02.2026. m Concessionaire to construct the defec Neele Ka Unprote Km.96.03 t M/s MEIL Ne tive work at their own cost and pay pe 2 shwar sar cted o Km.96.10 July, 2 eleshwaram nalty of 5% of defective works. am- T ag soil slip (LHS) 025 Roadways P Concessionaire/ promoter had self-res halipa od occurre vt. Ltd (promtrained themselves from participating ramba d in oter Megha) in the bids of implementing agencies the cut of MoRTH till 19.02.2026. section Km.191+82 M/s.Azhiyur- Azhiy Ko Collaps to Km.192 July, 2Vengalam R Concessionaire to carryout rectificati 3 ur-Ve zhi e of Slo +10 (LHS), 024 oad Pvt. Ltd. on/ remedial measures at their own co ngala ko pe ProteKm.193+40 (promoter A st. m de ction to Km.193 dani Road Tr +54 (RHS) ansport Ltd.) Concessionaire constructed 377m Vi Embank Km.276+80 M/s.KNR Ra aduct in failed RS Wall portion at their Rama Ma ment se to Km.277 May, 2manattukara own cost. Concessionaire and Promot 4 nattu lla ttlemen +05 (LHS) 025 Infra Private er self- restrained themselves from pa kara- pp t and fai Limited. rticipating in the bids of NHAI till 30.1 Valan uralure of R 1.2025. cherry m E Wall Kolla M/s.Kollam Concessionaire is constructing 120m m Byp Highways PvViaduct in failed RS Wall portion at th ass to t Ltd. (Prom eir own cost. Concessionaire and their Kada KolFailure Km.504+40 oter Shivala Promoter have self-restrained themsel 5 mbatt la of RE W to Km.504 Dec., ya Constructves from participating in the bids of th ukona m all +50(LHS) 2025 ion) e NHAI till 30.09.2026. mANNEXURE-B ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3134 ANSWERED ON 06TH AUGUST, 2026 ASKED BY SHRI K C VENUGOPAL REGARDING “STRUCTURAL FAILURES ON NH-66 IN KERALA” Scheduled revised date of Sr. Length Progress Project Stretch Completion No. (Km) (%) 1. 6L of Chengala-Neeleshwaram 37.3 91 31.03.2027 2. 6L of Neeleshwaram-Thalipparamba 40.1 87 31.03.2027 6L of Thalipparamba- 3. 29.9 84 30.04.2028 Muzhapilangadu 4. 6L of Azhiyur-Vengalam 40.8 68 30.03.2028 5. 6L of Kappirikkad-Thalikkulam 33.2 95 30.06.2027 6. 6L of Thalikkulam-Kodungallur 28.7 94 30.06.2027 7. 6L of Kodungallur-Edapally 26 71 31.05.2027 6-lane Elevated Highway Aroor- 8. 12.7 91 06.01.2027 Thuravoor 9. 6L of Thuravoor-Paravoor 38.4 81 31.05.2027 10. 6L of Paravoor-Kottukulangara 37.5 77 30.11.2027 6L of Kottukulangara-Start of 11. 31.5 77 31.12.2027 Kollam Bypass 6L of Start of Kollam Bypass- 12. 31.2 96 30.06.2027 Kadambattukonam 30.04.2027 6L of Kadambattukonam- 13. 29.8 77 (excl. 7.67 Km Viaduct por- Kazhakuttom tion descoped) *****