Newly built NH 66 embankment collapses in Kerala

KOLLAM: A newly built section of National Highway 66 at Mylakkadu in Adichanalloor panchayat, near Kottiyam, Kollam, suffered a major embankment failure on Friday, raising serious concerns over the safety and stability of the ongoing highway construction in the state. The collapse occurred around 3.30pm along the Mevara–Kadampattukonam stretch. A portion of the under-construction service road also gave way when the roadside embankment caved in. A few vehicles, including a school bus, were trapped on the service road, in which deep craters were formed. Police said commuters in these vehicles, including students on the school bus, were rescued and taken to safer places.Authorities cordoned off the damaged section and launched a structural assessment of the affected embankment. An NHAI official said the exact reason for the collapse was yet to be ascertained. “An expert team will inspect the site soon and submit a report. At present, we suspect that the nature of the site — a paddy field area — could be a reason,” he said. District collector N Devidas and senior police officers visited the place. Public works minister P A Muhammad Riyas, in a statement, said the PWD secretary had been directed to conduct an inquiry and submit a report.Congress MP and public accounts committee chairman K C Venugopal alleged that poor quality construction and corruption resulted in repeated road collapses in the state. He also said the state govt was more focused on finishing NH projects before the assembly election.A similar collapse occurred at Kooriyad in Malappuram in May 2025. A 250-metre elevated stretch and its retaining wall, near reclaimed paddy fields, collapsed there on May 19, causing part of the road and adjoining service lane to sink. Some commuters suffered minor injuries while multiple vehicles were damaged.Following the collapse, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) suspended the project director, terminated the site engineer from service and debarred the contractor and consultant firms from future bids. The authority also announced that the damaged stretch would be reconstructed —in that case via a viaduct at an estimated cost of Rs 80 crore. Besides, an expert panel from premier institutes reviewed 17 other NH 66 projects in Kerala, recommending stricter geotechnical assessment and safer slope-stabilisation practices.