State govt acquired land and handed it over for national highway construction; Centre is in complete control of construction, says CM

KOLLAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has responded to the opposition's allegations against the state government regarding the damage to the National Highway 66 in multiple locations. Speaking at a function in Kollam, the Chief Minister said that the central government is in complete control of the construction of the national highway.

“There have been some faults in the construction of the National Highway, and this has prompted criticism from various quarters. While the state government is responsible for acquiring and handing over the land, the entire control of the construction process rests with the Centre. Some have used this situation as an opportunity to blame the state government. What’s required now is to address the shortcomings and move forward. Those eager to blame us have taken advantage of this chance. Things have come to a point where anything and everything is being said. The lapses should be examined and acted upon—that is the responsibility of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI),” the Chief Minister said.

Meanwhile, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated that he has requested Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to take strict and swift action regarding the issues related to the national highways. He said that the minister has assured that those responsible for lapses in highway construction will face stern action.

The central government has formed a high-level expert committee to investigate the causes of the issues, including those reported in Malappuram. Rajeev Chandrasekhar also said that Nitin Gadkari informed him that the contractor involved has been barred from further highway construction activities.