NHAI should take strict action

The collapse of the elevated road under construction near Kottiyam in Kollam shocked the entire state. Fortunately, no major tragedy occurred. A private school bus and three cars travelling on the service road got stuck in the cracked section. The children were later taken home in other vehicles. There is no doubt that this incident will strengthen the fear among travellers that this busy route is always at risk of danger. Experts had earlier advised that a flyover should have been constructed at the exact spot where the deep pit appeared yesterday. But it seems that advice was ignored.

The initial assessment suggests that the design was prepared without properly studying the nature of the soil. Neither the National Highways Authority nor the contracting company took steps to strengthen the road near the paddy field. While preparing the project plan, a scientific study of soil strength should have been done to determine the correct construction method. There were serious lapses in all these areas. Additionally, only four feet of red soil was laid on the top layer of the elevated road. Below that, the filling consisted of muddy sand taken from Ashtamudi Lake. A major disaster was avoided only because the side wall did not fall onto the main road. There is nearly 150 metres of paddy field on both sides of the collapsed portion. A small stream runs through the middle of this field, crossing beneath the road. The underpass was constructed just ten metres away from this canal.

Public Works Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas has written to Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari seeking urgent action regarding the road collapse. He has also asked the Public Works Secretary for an immediate report. Nitin Gadkari has always maintained close coordination with the Kerala PWD and supported road development in the state. When a similar collapse happened in Malabar during national highway construction, strict action was taken, and those responsible were removed.

The National Highways Authority often tries to shift responsibility to contractors when such incidents occur. The contracting company, in turn, gives multiple subcontracts, and the work becomes unregulated. The NHAI holds the main responsibility in such cases. Their officials should directly monitor and supervise the construction. Public safety cannot be compromised. Kerala’s PWD has been performing well in road development, and state officials have been meeting Nitin Gadkari to speed up national highway work. However, due to the negligence of NHAI officials, national highway construction in Kerala has become a serious concern. Past accidents are clear examples.

The National Highways Authority must take strict action in connection with the Kottiyam incident. The responsible officials should be dismissed, and the contracting company should be blacklisted. Simple actions like transferring officials or suspending the contractor for a month are not enough.