Kerala Highway Collapse: Centre Takes Action Against Firms
Kerala Highway Collapse Sparks Investigation and Action
Centre Blacklists Construction and Consultancy Firms
The Indian government has taken swift action following the partial collapse of a section of National Highway 66 near the Kooriyad bridge in Kerala’s Malappuram district on May 19th. The Union Ministry for Road Transport and Highways has debarred the construction company, KNR Constructions, and the consultancy firm, Highway Engineering Consultant (HEC), from participating in future Central government tenders.
This decision comes after a meeting between Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader and Lok Sabha member E.T. Muhammed Basheer, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Basheer raised concerns about the safety risks posed by structural flaws in NH-66 across several districts, including Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kasaragod, and Thrissur. Following Basheer’s appeal, Gadkari appointed an expert committee led by retired IIT-Delhi professor G.V. Rao to investigate the matter.
The committee’s preliminary report prompted the Centre to blacklist KNR Constructions and HEC. The government has also initiated inquiries against two company officials and withdrawn the bank guarantees for both firms. Mr. Basheer stated that Gadkari assured him of a safety audit for NH-66 passing through north Kerala and promised teams to examine ongoing construction projects.
Questions Raised Over Detailed Project Report
Meanwhile, there are questions surrounding the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the NH-66 project. National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) resident engineer Manoj Kumar expressed doubts about the DPR’s accuracy, highlighting the lack of provisions for underpasses to ensure connectivity for residents on either side of the elevated highway at Kuriyadi.
MP Suresh Gopi echoed these concerns, alleging that vested interests had altered the DPR multiple times to benefit themselves at the expense of the environment. Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition, V D Satheesan, pointed out that the UDF had previously flagged concerns about the unscientific and environmentally damaging design of the highway, particularly its impact on paddy fields and wetlands.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) dismissed the UDF’s criticism but took credit for completing the project. Neither the Centre nor the Kerala government has explicitly acknowledged responsibility for the structural issues plaguing sections of the NH-66 across Kerala.
