Rain to play crucial role in further construction of National Highway

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Union Ministry of Surface Transport and the National Highways Authority of India will prepare a special action plan for the further construction based on how well the National Highway 66, which is in various stages of construction, will survive this rainy season.

In addition to cracks, fissures and subsidence in parts of NH 66 in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kasaragod, cracks and potholes had also appeared in some places on the road in Thrissur, Alappuzha and Kollam districts. Only after the strength test of the road is conducted, the completed reaches will be opened to traffic.

The expert committee appointed by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to investigate the cause of the collapse of National Highway 66 in Kerala, headed by Dr. G.V. Rao, will reach Kerala soon. Dr. G.V. Rao is a former IIT professor and an expert in the field of geosynthetic engineering in India. Jimmy Thomas and Anil Dixit are the other members of the committee.

Top officials of road construction company KNRCL, visited Kooriyad, which has collapsed, including the main road. The company will soon submit a report containing the assessment of a seven-member special team from Hyderabad to the National Highways Authority. It is indicated that the report will also include the possibility of constructing a viaduct-model flyover on the Kooriyad section.

Warning of possible danger received

The State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) had received a report 8 months ago that unscientific construction on National Highway 66 could be dangerous. The preliminary study report of the expert team appointed by KSDMA following the landslides in Bevinje, Thekkil, Veeramalakkunnu and Madalai in Kasaragod had indicated the danger. It had recommended that further study be carried out and that necessary precautions be taken as soon as possible to avert the disaster. However, no further action was taken.