NH 66 Construction in Kerala Delayed, Completion Expected by Next March
Construction of the National Highway 66 stretch in Kerala is unlikely to be completed within the current year, according to recent updates. Delays have been attributed to various factors, including structural flaws, alignment changes in several areas, and ongoing work on service roads.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to revise alignments in specific locations, such as Kuriyad in Malappuram district and Mylakkad near Kottiyam, following reports of road damage. Additionally, authorities have opted to construct viaducts in areas with similar geological characteristics, while flyovers are being built in some locations instead of elevated highways.
Work on these modifications is scheduled to commence in June and is expected to take between six to nine months to complete. These changes have necessitated adjustments to contract estimates and have significantly extended the project timeline. Consequently, the NHAI anticipates that the entire National Highway project will be fully operational only by March of next year.
Despite these delays, the NHAI has clarified that while the structural changes will increase individual project costs, the total estimated cost of the entire highway construction remains unchanged. Several sections of the highway have already been opened for traffic, with the Kozhikode bypass nearing completion and work on the Thalapady-Chengala reach in its final stages.
Data on the progress of various reaches indicates significant advancement. The Ramanattukara-Valanchery reach is 92% complete, while the Thalipparamba-Muzhappilangad and Nileshwaram-Thalipparamba reaches are at 83% and 82% completion, respectively. Other sections, such as the Azhiyur-Vengalam reach and the Chengala-Nileshwaram stretch, are also nearing completion. Furthermore, several bypasses and elevated highways, including the Thalassery-Mahe bypass and the Kazhakkoottam elevated highway, have already been finished.
The pace of construction was also impacted by a shortage of labor, as many workers returned home during the recent elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Efforts are ongoing to expedite the remaining work to ensure the highway is fully functional by the updated deadline.