Lok Sabha Question No. 1888 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Drainage Issues and Flooding on NH-66 in Kannur
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1888 ANSWERED ON 11 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## DRAINAGE ISSUES AND FLOODING ON NH-66 IN KANNUR

## 1888.  SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  severe  flooding  and  entry  of slush  into  residential  homes  in  Kuppam  and  Taliparamba,  Kannur  District, caused by the ongoing six-laning work of National Highway-66, Taliparamba to Muzhappilangad stretch, if so the details thereof;
- (b) whether  it  has  been  identified  that  the  high  embankment  construction has blocked natural water flow channels and traditional drainage systems in these  low-lying  paddy  zones,  forcing  local  residents  to  stage  protests  and block the highway, if so the details thereof; (c) the  specific  details  of  the  cross-drainage  works  and  retaining  walls planned to rectify this engineering flaw; (d) whether  the  Ministry  has  directed  the  National  Highways  Authority  of India  (NHAI)/concessionaire  to  complete  these  corrective  drainage  works strictly before the onset of the next monsoon to prevent the submergence of villages and if so, the details thereof; and whether  any  technical  audit  has  been  conducted  to  determine  if  the hydrological
- (e) original Detailed Project Report failed to account for the requirements of this specific terrain and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes Sir. To address the issue of water logging and slush ingress, during the  monsoon  season  in  2025  and  thereafter,  mitigation  measures  including channelizing  water  flow,  cleaning  of  downstream  drains,  construction  of permanent drainage & slope protection  works  in  the  affected  stretches  etc. are  undertaken in Kuppam Area.

At some locations, outfalls are not available due to habitation. The issue is  being  resolved  through  consultation  with  State  Government/Local  Bodies. Chief Secretary has directed Local Bodies to take up the outfall works beyond National Highway (NH) Right of Way (ROW).

- (b) To  address  the  issue  of  high  embankment,  adequate  number  of  crossdrainage structures, including culverts, minor bridges etc. in low-lying paddy fields are provided, to ensure continuity of natural water flow. No instances of village-wise  flooding  have  been  reported.  In  built-up  areas,  longitudinal  lined drains  with  cross  culverts  have  also  been  provided  to  facilitate  proper stormwater  discharge  to  nearest  natural  water  channel.  Wherever  local drainage issues have been brought to notice, they are being reverified and, if necessary, the designs are being revised accordingly to mitigate issue.
- (c) The project includes provision of multiple cross-drainage structures such as  box  culverts,  and  balancing  culverts  at  frequent  intervals  to  effectively cater storm water. Retaining walls and cross drainage are being executed as per site-specific requirements and as per scope of Concession Agreement. The details of Cross Drainage Structures are annexed.
- (d) Government on time to time at regular internal issues direction to all its implementing agencies including NHAI to take pre-monsoon activity before the onset  of  Monsoon.  NHAI  has  informed  that  the  Concessionaire  has  been instructed to expedite all construction works including drainage-related works to complete before the onset of the next monsoon.
- (e) The projects are being implemented on Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM)/Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC), wherein the responsibility for  detailed  design  lies  with  the  Concessionaire/Contractor  and  the  final designs  are  subject  to  review  and  approval  by  the  Independent/Authority Engineer.  The  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  is  indicative  in  nature.  All drainage  designs  are  being  verified  accordingly  to  ensure  suitability  to  site conditions.

An Expert Committee inspected the vulnerable locations in each project with regard to Reinforced Soil Walls and Slope Protection Works and submitted its report on 04.08.2025.  Actions are being taken as per report of Committee.

ANNEXURE

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA  UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  1888  ANSWERED  ON  11 TH   DECEMBER,  2025  ASKED  BY  SHRI  K SUDHAKARAN  REGARDING  'DRAINAGE  ISSUES  AND  FLOODING  ON  NH-66  IN KANNUR'.

| Cross Drainage Structure   | Cross Drainage Structure   | Cross Drainage Structure      | Cross Drainage Structure   | Cross Drainage Structure   |
|----------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------|----------------------------|----------------------------|
| Sl. No.                    | Site Design Chainage       | Span Arrangement (No. x Lx D) | Proposed Structure         | Typestatus of work         |
| 1                          | 134+744                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 2                          | 135+110                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 3                          | 135+877                    | 1 x 3.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 4                          | 136+788                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 5                          | 137+230                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 6                          | 137+729                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 7                          | 137+961                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 8                          | 138+878                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 9                          | 139+202                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 10                         | 139+492                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 11                         | 139+852                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 12                         | 140+231                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 13                         | 140+421                    | 1 x 3.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 14                         | 140+657                    | 1 x 3.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 15                         | 141+128                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 17                         | 141+830                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 18                         | 142+128                    | 1 x 3.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 19                         | 142+458                    | 1 x 3.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 20                         | 142+591                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 21                         | 143+049                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 22                         | 143+450                    | 1 x 3.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 23                         | 143+900                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 24                         | 144+757                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 25                         | 145+160                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 26                         | 146+400                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |
| 27                         | 146+597                    | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00               | Box Culvert                | completed                  |

|   28 | 146+797   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|------|-----------|-------------------|---------------|-------------|
|   29 | 146+997   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   30 | 147+457   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   31 | 147+617   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   32 | 147+997   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   33 | 148+000   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   34 | 148+200   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   35 | 148+400   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   36 | 148+600   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   37 | 149+747   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   38 | 149+947   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   39 | 150+092   | 1 x 3.00 x 3.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   40 | 150+254   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   41 | 150+422   | 1 x 3.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   42 | 150+602   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   43 | 151+207   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   44 | 151+359   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   45 | 151+647   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   46 | 152+037   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   47 | 153+797   | 1 x 3.00 x 3.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   48 | 153+900   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   49 | 153+997   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   50 | 154+112   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   51 | 154+207   | 1 x 6.00 x 3.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   52 | 154+407   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   53 | 154+600   | 1 x 5.00 x 3.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   54 | 154+801   | 1 x 3.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   55 | 156+077   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   56 | 156+492   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   57 | 156+734   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   58 | 157+391   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   59 | 157+781   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   60 | 157+929   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   61 | 158+181   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   62 | 158+347   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |

|   63 | 158+554   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|------|-----------|-------------------|---------------|-------------|
|   64 | 159+071   | 1 x 3.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   65 | 159+290   | 1 x 3.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   66 | 159+377   | 1 x 3.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   67 | 160+040   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   68 | 160+174   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   69 | 160+381   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   70 | 160+585   | 1 x 3.00 x 3.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   71 | 160+690   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   72 | 161+050   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   73 | 161+306   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   74 | 161+535   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   75 | 161+690   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   76 | 162+140   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   77 | 162+290   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   78 | 162+366   | 1 x 4.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   79 | 162+757   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   80 | 163+213   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |
|   81 | 163+549   | 1 x 2.00 x 2.00   | Box Culvert   | completed   |

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