The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has revised the completion timeline for the construction of National Highway-66 in Kerala, a project that has sparked major political debate in the state. According to the updated schedule, the six-lane highway is unlikely to be completed across most stretches before the upcoming Assembly elections, with the majority of works now expected to finish only by mid-2026.
The ministry said the revised deadlines were fixed after reviewing ground conditions, construction delays, and safety concerns. Increased inspections following widespread concerns over construction quality and public safety have also contributed to the delay.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, the ministry stated that works are progressing across 16 reaches of NH-66, covering a total length of 422.8 kilometres in Kerala. An expert committee has been appointed to assess structurally weak stretches of the highway. Based on the committee’s recommendations, corrective measures are being implemented alongside ongoing construction, the ministry informed in response to a question raised by MP Adoor Prakash.
The review follows multiple incidents of road collapse. In early December, a portion of the highway and a service road caved in near Mayilakkad at Chathannoor in Kollam district. Earlier, on May 19, a road collapse was reported at Kooriyad in Malappuram district. In light of these incidents, disciplinary action has been initiated against erring contractors and consultants. The ministry also confirmed that technical and safety audits are being conducted at vulnerable locations.
As per the revised schedule, some stretches in north and central Kerala are expected to be completed between March and June 2026, while certain reaches in Kozhikode and parts of central Kerala have deadlines extending up to August 2026. Extensions have been granted to stretches showing slow progress to ensure safety and construction quality. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said enhanced monitoring mechanisms are now in place.
The ministry noted that weak soil conditions and challenging terrain, including backwater regions, have affected construction in several reaches. Measures are being taken to overcome these issues. If the revised timelines are adhered to, a significant portion of Kerala’s six-lane highway connectivity is expected to be completed by mid-2026.
