The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is set to approve a revised construction plan for 13 locations on the Kazhakkoottam-Kadampattukonam NH-66 stretch under construction. The new design opts for pillar-based flyovers and underpasses instead of conventional retaining wall structures.
Reason for the Change
The decision follows retaining wall collapses at Kooriyad in Malappuram and Mylakkadu in Kollam. The revised design, submitted by the contractor, replaces earth-filled retaining wall systems with elevated pillar-supported structures, which are considered more stable in areas with challenging soil conditions and heavy rainfall.
Key Proposals
Among the key proposals awaiting clearance is a flyover at Mamom near Attingal bypass, which is expected to ease congestion at one of the busiest junctions on the stretch. Officials indicated that the authority would soon decide whether the additional works would be executed by the current contractor or through fresh tenders. Sources suggest that NHAI is inclined to entrust the work to the existing contractor to avoid further delays in a project that has already faced multiple setbacks.
Project Progress
The contractor executing the Kazhakkoottam-Kadampattukonam reach said the project has achieved 71% physical progress so far and expressed confidence that the entire stretch could be completed by December. Notably, around 80% of the service roads on this corridor have been completed, improving local connectivity even as main carriageway works continue, said a representative of the contractor company, RKC Infrastructure Pvt Ltd.
The representative also said that the company would not compromise on the quality of construction as it is its first project in Kerala. "Even if monsoon comes, we will complete the project by the end of this year," he said.
Challenges Faced
The project also faced external challenges, impacting its pace. A sharp rise in the cost and shortage of key construction materials such as bitumen, PVC and aggregates, partly attributed to global supply disruptions following the West Asia conflict, has significantly affected execution timelines. Contractors have reported difficulties in sourcing materials at stable prices, adding financial strain to ongoing works.
Additionally, administrative and logistic hurdles have contributed to delays. Digital surveys, land acquisition procedures and the transfer of revenue officials during election periods slowed progress in certain sections. Quarry operations, crucial for sourcing earth for embankment works, were also delayed due to regulatory and operational constraints.
Labour shortage further compounded the situation, with many migrant workers returning to their home states to cast their votes, leading to temporary workforce gaps at construction sites.
Background and Timeline
The current contractor, a Pune-based firm that took over the project from an earlier contractor about one-and-a-half years ago, has since accelerated work despite the constraints. Originally scheduled for completion in January 2025, the deadline was later extended to October 2025 and December 2026. The Kazhakkoottam-Kadampattukonam NH-66 stretch is progressing at the slowest pace in the state, as this project was tendered last in the state.
In addition to flyovers and underpasses, the stretch will include six light-vehicle underpasses, four small-vehicle underpasses, three cattle underpasses, a parallel service road, 20 bus bays and a pedestrian overbridge across the 11.15-km Attingal bypass.
