Elevated Road to Replace Collapsed Kooriyad National Highway Section

Thiruvananthapuram: A new elevated road (viaduct) will be constructed at the collapsed section of the Kooriyad National Highway in Malappuram. This was confirmed directly to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav by KNRCL MD Narasimha Reddy, the contracting company. The Chairman has directed the company to complete the new bridge within six months.

Construction of the new bridge and associated structures can only commence after the currently damaged section is demolished. The company has requested additional time for this demolition work.

The KNRCL MD explained that the initial decision by the consultant and the contractor to construct the road using an embankment foundation was made after considering soil test reports. This recommendation was also approved by the National Highways Authority, with an aim to expedite the project. However, the company now believes that the weak soil and strong water flow led to a miscalculation. The evaluation also suggests that limitations in widening the foundation for the embankment due to the narrow approach road contributed to the collapse.

Representatives from consultancy firms were also present at the meeting. In addition to KNRCL, representatives from companies handling contracts in other sections of the highway also met the Chairman in Thiruvananthapuram. Project Directors of various initiatives also participated in the meeting, where a total of 20 projects were reviewed.

Delays in construction on the Paravur-Kottukulangara, Kottukulangara-Kollam, Kollam-Kadambattukonam, and Thuravoor-Paravur stretches were also discussed during the meeting. Contractors attributed these delays to changes in junction designs necessitated by public opposition and a shortage of sand. NHAI Board Member Venkitaramana, who is in charge of state affairs, will inspect the construction progress in the Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam regions today.

NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav also held a meeting with Chief Secretary Dr. A. Jayathilak, where he elaborated on the shortcomings and construction progress. The Chief Secretary urged for a swift resolution of these issues. The Chairman assured that construction activities would be expedited once the rains subside.