NH 66 Kerala: Dream project getting delayed, unlikely to be completed this year

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The construction of National Highway 66 (NH 66), Kerala's dream project, is unlikely to be completed this year. The primary reasons for the delay are structural collapses in certain areas and subsequent changes in the alignment.

Following road collapses at Kooriyad (Vengara, Malappuram) and Mylakkadu (near Kottiyam), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) decided to revise the alignment. In addition to these two locations, it was decided to construct viaducts (roads built on pillars) in other areas with similar geographical features. This shift led to changes in contract estimates, which has significantly extended the construction timeline. For instance, in the Kollam (Kavanad)–Kadampattukonam reach, three viaducts are being built, with a contractual completion deadline set for June 2027.

Meanwhile, more than 80% of the viaduct construction at Kooriyad, within the Ramanattukara–Valanchery reach, has been completed. The pace of work was also affected by a shortage of labourers, as a portion of the workforce returned to West Bengal for the elections. To ease the burden on commuters, completed stretches of the road are being opened for traffic immediately. The Kozhikode Bypass is nearly finished, with divider works currently in progress, and the Thalapady–Chengala reach is also in its final stages.

Status of ongoing reaches

• Ramanattukara – Valanchery: 92%
• Taliparamba – Muzhappilangad: 83%
• Nileshwaram – Taliparamba: 82%
• Azhiyour – Vengalam: 82%
• Chengala – Nileshwaram: 80%
• Kappirikkad – Thalikulam: 80%
• Kotankulangara – Kollam: 78%
• Thalikulam – Kodungallur: 72%
• Kodungallur – Edappally: 70%
• Paravoor – Kotankulangara: 70%
• Kollam (Kavanad) – Kadampattukonam: 65%
• Aroor – Thuravoor Elevated Highway: 65%
• Thuravoor – Paravoor: 55%
• Kadampattukonam – Kazhakkoottam: 55%

Completed reaches

• Pallikkara – Nileshwaram
• Thalassery – Mahe Bypass
• Valanchery – Kappirikkad (96% complete; operational)
• Paloli Bridge – Moorad
• Kazhakkoottam Elevated Highway
• Mukkola – Kazhakkoottam
• Mukkola – Karode