The recent collapse of an under-construction stretch of National Highway 66 (NH-66) in Malappuram, Kerala, has not only raised serious questions about construction quality and project oversight but has also escalated into a full-blown political controversy.
The incident has prompted swift disciplinary actions from the central government and sparked a wave of allegations and counter-allegations between state and opposition leaders.On May 19, a newly built segment of the NH-66 at Kooriyad in Malappuram caved in, damaging several vehicles and disrupting vehicular movement. The collapse occurred barely a week after its completion, fuelling public outrage and triggering an investigation at the highest levels. An expert team led by a senior faculty member from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi was deployed to assess the damage.
Preliminary findings revealed that the collapse was primarily due to poor assessment of ground conditions and the failure to strengthen the ground’s bearing capacity. These findings have prompted the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to take stringent measures. KNR Constructions Ltd, the contractor responsible for the collapsed section, and its consultant, Highway Engineering Consultants (HEC), have both been debarred from participating in any current or future national highway projects across India.In addition to the contractor and consultant ban, two senior officials—one from KNR Constructions and another from the consultancy firm—have been suspended. MoRTH has also directed a thorough review of all NH-66 construction sites in Kerala to identify potential risks and to prevent similar incidents.
KNR Constructions has accepted responsibility for the collapse. In an official statement, the company cited unforeseen subsoil conditions and a high water table as the main reasons for the structural failure. The company’s executive leadership has pledged to undertake corrective measures and rebuild the damaged stretch in accordance with expert recommendations.Despite the prompt response from central authorities, the collapse has sparked a political uproar in Kerala. The state’s Chief Minister accused the opposition of politicising the incident, pointing out that the project falls under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which operates under the central government. However, opposition parties have countered this argument by stating that the state cannot escape accountability, especially in ensuring on-ground safety and vigilance during construction activities.
The situation has been further exacerbated by reports of similar structural concerns at other NH-66 sites in Kerala. Issues such as soil erosion, road cracking, and visible structural weaknesses have been observed in districts including Thrissur, Kannur, and other parts of Malappuram. These developments have intensified public concern regarding the overall quality of infrastructure being developed along the NH-66 corridor.With the monsoon season approaching, infrastructure resilience has come under heightened scrutiny. Experts warn that unless stringent quality control measures and engineering standards are enforced, similar failures could become more frequent, endangering public safety and wasting taxpayer resources.
The incident has triggered a broader national debate on the governance of large-scale infrastructure projects. Questions are being raised about the adequacy of site surveys, the transparency of contractor selection processes, and the robustness of construction supervision mechanisms. In response, the central government is expected to issue fresh guidelines for highway construction and consultancy, aiming to overhaul risk assessment protocols and accountability frameworks.
As investigations continue and blame is apportioned, the collapse in Malappuram has become a rallying point for public demands for more transparent, safe, and sustainable infrastructure development. The political fallout, meanwhile, underscores the need for cooperative governance between state and central authorities in delivering reliable public infrastructure.
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NH-66 Collapse in Malappuram Triggers Political Storm
