Image Credit: X account @adarshdevaraj
NH-66 Collapse in Malappuram Triggers Nationwide Safety Audit
A serious infrastructure failure occurred on May 19, 2025, when a section of the under-construction National Highway 66 (NH-66) at Kooriyad in Malappuram district, Kerala, collapsed. The incident involved the sudden failure of a reinforced earth (RE) wall and embankment, part of a major widening project being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Though no casualties were reported, the collapse has sparked widespread concern over the structural safety of ongoing highway construction projects and triggered a flurry of responses from both central and state authorities.
Poor Soil and Heavy Rainfall Blamed for Collapse
Preliminary investigations by NHAI engineers and external experts indicate that weak, water-saturated loamy soil beneath the RE wall played a key role in the failure. The embankment load proved too much for the subsoil, particularly after continuous rainfall led to severe waterlogging, weakening the foundation further.
The failure of proper geotechnical investigation, subsoil reinforcement, and drainage planning has come under scrutiny. Experts believe that basic engineering checks and soil compaction norms were likely overlooked during construction.
NHAI Suspends Officials and Penalizes Contractor
In a swift response, NHAI suspended the Project Director and site-level engineers associated with the collapsed section. KNR Constructions Ltd., the project contractor, has been debarred from participating in NHAI tenders for up to a year.
Additionally, KNR has been ordered to clear all debris and reconstruct the damaged stretch at its own cost. The reconstruction is estimated to cost approximately ₹80 crore. Design consultants and safety advisors associated with the project have been issued show-cause notices and face penalties.
Central Government Orders Safety Review Across Kerala
Taking serious note of the incident, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has initiated a broader technical audit across all NH-66 project sites in Kerala. A three-member expert committee, including a former IIT Delhi professor, has been appointed to assess the site, analyze failure patterns, and recommend corrective measures.
The committee has been mandated to inspect 17 other locations along NH-66 in the state where RE walls and high embankments are under construction, to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Long-Term Lessons for Indian Infrastructure Projects
The Malappuram incident has reignited debate over the lack of accountability and technical diligence in large-scale infrastructure projects. Experts have stressed the importance of proper soil testing, drainage planning, and structural design compliance—particularly in high-rainfall regions like Kerala.
The Centre is expected to issue revised guidelines for highway embankment construction soon. Meanwhile, NHAI has committed to enhancing technical vetting procedures for all ongoing projects.
As work on NH-66 continues across Kerala, authorities now face mounting pressure to restore public confidence in the safety and durability of India’s road infrastructure.
