Lok Sabha Question No. 835 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-24
Subject: Ongoing NH Construction in Kerala
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri K C Venugopal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 835 ANSWERED ON 24 TH  JULY, 2025

## ONGOING NH CONSTRUCTION IN KERALA

835.            SHRI K C VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  has  any  data on the number  of breakages, cracks and mishaps during the ongoing National Highway (NH) construction in Kerala and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  actions  taken  against  the  concerned  persons  to  set  a deterrent for preventing future mishaps;
- (c) the  details  of  the  contractors/sub-contractors  engaged  in  the construction of National Highways; and
- (d) whether  any  audit  has  been  conducted  across  the  National Highway  construction  sites  in  light  of  these  incidents  to  review  the design, construction and drainage works and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)& (b)     The details are annexed.
- (c)      The  details  of  the  contractors/sub-contractors  engaged  by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the State of Kerala for the construction of National Highways are annexed.

(d) NHAI has constituted a team of Experts [Dr. Anil Dixit (PhD, IITDelhi);  Dr.  Jimmy  Thomas  (PhD,  IIT-Kanpur);  Dr.  K  Mohan  Krishna (PhD, IIT-Gandhinagar)] under the supervision of a Retired Professor from  IIT-Delhi,  Shri  G.V.  Rao  to  analyse  the  failure  and  recommend remedial  measures.  Expert  team  submitted  the final report on 03.07.2025 regarding failure of Embankment andRetaining Structures in Km. 276.78 and Km. 277.160 of the project (Kooriyad).

Further, NHAI  constituted on 24.05.2025 an Expert  Committee comprising of a Senior CRRI Scientist (Retd.), an Associate Prof. from IIT-Palakkad,  and  the  Deputy  Director  General  from  the  Geological Survey of India (GSI) to assess other potentially vulnerable locations of  Reinforced  Soil  (RS)  Walls  and  Slope  Protection  Works  in  17 ongoing projects on NH-66 in Kerala.

Expert  Committee  visited  the  entire  stretch  of  NH-66  in  Kerala between  11.06.2025  to  14.07.2025  to  assess  the  adequacy  of  the protection  methodologies  adopted/being  adopted/  proposed  to  be adopted for slopes/embankments and other vulnerable locations and to  suggest  necessary  improvements.  Report  of  the  committee  is awaited.

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  835  ANSWERED  ON  24 TH   JULY,  2025 ASKED BY SHRI K C  VENUGOPAL  REGARDING  'ONGOING  NH CONSTRUCTION IN KERALA'.

|   Sl. No | Details of collapse/Cracks                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Action Taken                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Incident of soil nailing collapse in Ch. 58+035 to Ch. 58+100 (RHS) in Chengala- Neeleshwaram Section of NH-66. Moreover, cracks in Main Carriageway (MCW) and Service Road (SR) has been observed at many locations along the project reaches. | 1. Show cause notice issued to Concessionaire and its promoter M/s. Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd. for debarment upto 1 year or completion of rectification work, whichever is later + penalty of 5% of Current value of failed work or 0.5% of Contract value of whole work whichever is more, besides temporarily suspending them from participating in ongoing / future bids of NHAI for one month or till they submit remedial measures with proper studies / demonstrate such failures do not repeat. |
|        2 | Though Soil nailing works collapsed from Km 191+820 to Km 192+100 (LHS), Km193+400 to Km 193+540 in the stretch of Azhiyur-Vengalam.                                                                                                            | Show cause notice issued to Concessionaire M/s. Azhiyur- Vengalam Road Pvt. Ltd. for debarment upto 1 year + penalty of Rs. 50 Lakh to Rs. 5 Cr. Concessionaire is directed to carryout rectification/ remedial measures at their own cost. Show Cause Notice issued to IE for debarment upto 1 year & penalty of Rs. 20 Lakh.                                                                                                                                                                                      |

|   3 | Collapse of retaining wall at Kuriad in Ch. 276+780 and 277+160 (LHS) in Main Carriage Way in the stretch of Ramanattukara Junction to start of Valanchery Bypass section of NH-66.                                                            | Show cause notice issued to Concessionaire and its promoter M/s KNR construction Ltd. for debarment upto 1 year + penalty of 5% of Current value of failed work or 0.5% of Contract value of whole work whichever is more Show Cause Notice issued to IE for debarment upto 1 year & penalty of Rs. 20 Lakh. Further, Concessionaire & Independent Engineer have been temporarily suspended from participating in ongoing/future bids of NHAI for one month or till completion of investigation by the Expert Committee whichever is later. Concessionaire & IE has approached Delhi High Court against such action. Project Director of NHAI is suspended and services of site Engineer is   |
|-----|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   4 | 4 nos. of girder collapsed in Span P17-P18 (RHS) in Six Lane of Highway from Thuravoor (Design Ch. 379+612) to Paravoor (Design Ch. 417+000) section of new NH-66 (old NH- 47) in the state of Kerala on EPC mode under Bharatmala Pariyojana. | Representative of consultant and contractor was suspended and applicable penalty (Rs. 15.4 Lakh) imposed to the contractor.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|   5 | Failure/Collapse of scaffolding of Minor Bridge (under construction) at Km.Ch. 497+370(RHS) has occurred in the Start of Kollam Bypass to Kadambattukonam Project.                                                                             | Penalty of Rs. 9.55 Lakhs has been imposed on concessionaire and Concessionaire has terminated the service of the Engineer responsible                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |

|   6 | A service road wash-off was observed at Mavungal, Kanhangad in Kasaragod District at Km 81.94 (LHS) in 15m. Temporary connection of drain with box culvert was completed and service road was restored for traffic movement.   | A service road wash-off was observed at Mavungal, Kanhangad in Kasaragod District at Km 81.94 (LHS) in 15m. Temporary connection of drain with box culvert was completed and service road was restored for traffic movement.                        |
|-----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   7 | 1. Cracks were observed in some portion of Service Road at Km 84+4 LHS. 2. Longitudinal cracks at Km 81.5 MCW                                                                                                                  | 1. Temporary slope protection works were implemented at site and construction of Retaining Wall and Drain Works would be taken up after rainy season. 2. The crust layers have been removed upto embankment top and relaying works are in progress. |
|   8 | Longitudinal cracks at Km 109.5 MCW The crust layers will be and thereafter works will be                                                                                                                                      | removed taken up as required.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|   9 | Cracks in approaches of Paloli Moorad Bridge has                                                                                                                                                                               | Temporary rectification of cracks been completed.                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|  10 | Cracks in MCW at Thalapara                                                                                                                                                                                                     | Temporary rectification of cracks has been completed.                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|  11 | Cracks were observed in MCW at Chavakkad                                                                                                                                                                                       | Temporary rectification of cracks has been completed.                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|  12 | Under pass settlement at Neeravil The dismantled                                                                                                                                                                               | existing VUP has been and new VUP                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|  13 | Formation of Cavity was observed on RHS approach of Viaduct at Ch. 60.95 Temporary completed.                                                                                                                                  | restoration has been                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|  14 | Settlement of Main Carriageway at Alathur Swathy junction Restoration                                                                                                                                                          | work in progress.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |
|  15 | Embankment failures near Kayamkulam Bridge (Alappuzha District) and Chavara Bridge (Kollam District)                                                                                                                           | Temporary measures for retaining embankment in progress.                                                                                                                                                                                            |

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  835  ANSWERED  ON  24 TH   JULY,  2025 ASKED BY SHRI K C  VENUGOPAL  REGARDING  'ONGOING  NH CONSTRUCTION IN KERALA'.

## The details of the contractors/sub-contractors engaged by NHAI in the construction of National Highways

| Project Name                                                                                                                                           | PIU       | Concessionaire/ Contractor*                             |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------|
| 6-laning of Thalappady to Chengala on NH-66 (Old NH-17) on HAM Mode.                                                                                   | Kannur    | M/s Uralungal Labour Contract Co-Operative Society Ltd. |
| 6-laning of Chengala to Neeleshwaram on NH-66 (Old NH-17) on HAM Mode.                                                                                 | Kannur    | M/s. Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited      |
| 6-laning of Neeleshwaram to Thalipparamba on NH-66 (Old NH-17) on HAM Mode.                                                                            | Kannur    | M/s. Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited      |
| 6-laning of Thalipparamba to Muzhapilangadu on NH-66 (Old NH-17) on HAM Mode.                                                                          | Kannur    | M/s Vishwa Samudra Engineering Pvt.Ltd                  |
| 6-laning of Azhiyur to Vengalam on NH-66 (Old NH-17) on HAM Mode.                                                                                      | Kozhikode | M/s Azhiyur Vengalam Road Pvt Ltd                       |
| 6-laning of Existing Kozhikode Bypass (i.e. Vengalam Jn. to Ramanattukara Jn.) of NH-66 on HAM mode.                                                   | Kozhikode | M/s Calicut Expressways Pvt Ltd                         |
| Balance work of widening of 4 nos existing 2 Lane major Bridge of Six- laning of Kozhikode Bypass section of NH-66 in the State of Kerala on EPC Mode. | Kozhikode | M/s KMC Constructions Ltd                               |
| 6-laning of Ramanattukara to Valanchery on NH-66 (Old NH-17) on HAM Mode.                                                                              | Cochin-I  | M/s KNR Ramanattukara Infra pvt Ltd                     |
| 6-laning of Valanchery to Kappirikkad on NH-66 (Old NH-17) on HAM Mode.                                                                                | Cochin-I  | M/s KNR Guruvayur Infra pvt Ltd                         |
| 4/6-laning of Kappirikkad-Thalikulam of NH-17 (New NH-66) on HAM Mode.                                                                                 | Cochin-I  | M/s Kappirikkad Highways Pvt Ltd                        |

| 4/6-laning of Thalikulam-Kodungallur of NH-17 (New NH-66) on HAM Mode.                                                                 | Cochin-I   | M/s Kodungallur Highways Pvt Ltd                            |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|
| 6-laning of Kodungallur- Edapally of NH-66 (Old NH-17) on HAM mode.                                                                    | Cochin-II  | Oriental Structural Engineers Pvt. Ltd                      |
| 6 lane Elevated Corridor from Aroor to Thuravoor Thekku section of NH 66 on EPC Mode.                                                  | Cochin-II  | Ashoka Buildcon Ltd                                         |
| 6 Laning of Thuravoor Thekku - Paravoor section of NH-66(Old NH-47) on EPC Mode.                                                       | Cochin-II  | KCC Buildcon Pvt Ltd                                        |
| 6 laning of Paravoor to Kottukulangara section of NH 47(new NH 66)(Design Ch:417.00 to Design Ch:454.500) on EPC mode.                 | Kollam     | SEW Infrastructure Ltd                                      |
| 6 laning of Kottukulangara to start of Kollam bypass section of NH 47 (New NH-66) (Design Ch: 454+500 to Design Ch 486+00) on HAM mode | Kollam     | Viswa Samudra Engineering Pvt Ltd                           |
| 6-laning of Start of Kollam Bypass to Kadambattukonam of NH-66 (Old NH- 47) on HAM Mode.                                               | Trivandrum | Kollam Highways Pvt Ltd                                     |
| 6-laning of Kadambattukonam to Kazhakuttom of NH-66 (Old NH-47) on EPC Mode. Trivandrum                                                |            | M/s RDS Project Ltd & M/s RK Chavan Infrastructure Pvt Ltd. |
| Rectification of 4 nos of Blackspots in Thiruvananthapuram Bypass                                                                      | Trivandrum | M/s Cherian Varkey Construction Company                     |
| Widening/Development of Existing NH- 85 from Km 0.000 to Km 124.636 section to 2L/@L+PS section                                        | Cochin-II  | M/s EKK Infrastructure Ltd                                  |
| Rectification of 11 Nos Blackspots in the stretch of Walayar - Angamaly Section of NH-544                                              | Palakkad   | M/s. PST Engineering Construction                           |

* Concessionaire in case of HAM project and Contractor in case of EPC projects.

*****