Lok Sabha Question No. 190 (STARRED), answered on 2026-02-12
Subject: Safety Lapses during Construction of NH-66 in Kerala
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 190

## ANSWERED ON 12 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026

SAFETY LAPSES DURING CONSTRUCTION OF NH-66 IN KERALA *190.    SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of all accidents, mishaps and fatal incidents reported during the ongoing  construction  and  widening  works  of  National  Highway-66  up  to 15.01.2026 in Kerala, district-wise;
- (b) the number of deaths and serious injuries reported in the said accidents, separately indicating passengers/road users and construction workers;
- (c) the names of construction companies, concessionaires and subcontractors involved in the respective stretches where such accidents occurred;
- (d)  the  findings  of  safety  audits  or  inquiries  conducted  into  these  incidents and the lapses identified therein;
- (e)  the  action  taken  against  the  agencies  concerned  including  penalties imposed, termination of contracts or blacklisting; and
- (f)  the  steps  taken  to  strengthen  safety  measures,  traffic  management  and worker protection during construction of NH-66 to prevent recurrence of such incidents?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) to (f)        A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a)  TO  (f)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 190 ANSWERED ON 12 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026 ASKED BY SHRI  KODIKUNNIL  SURESH REGARDING  SAFETY  LAPSES  DURING CONSTRUCTION OF NH-66 IN KERALA.

(a) to (f) The summary of accidents, mishaps and fatal incidents reported at construction sites of ongoing projects on NH-66 is annexed.   Lapses mainly related  to  non-adherence  to  overall  Traffic  Management,  Work  Zone  Safety, and  Construction  Safety  Measures,  non-compliances  in  the  areas  of  traffic management,  barricading,  signage,  diversion  implementation,  road  surface condition, protection for vulnerable road users, worker safety practices, and night-time visibility, has been found in Road Safety Audit.

ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 190 ANSWERED ON 12 TH  FEBRUARY, 2026 ASKED BY SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH REGARDING 'SAFETY LAPSES DURING CONSTRUCTION OF NH-66 IN KERALA '.

|       | The details of all accidents, mishaps and fatal incidents reported during the ongoing construction and widening works of NH-66   | The details of all accidents, mishaps and fatal incidents reported during the ongoing construction and widening works of NH-66   | The details of all accidents, mishaps and fatal incidents reported during the ongoing construction and widening works of NH-66   | The details of all accidents, mishaps and fatal incidents reported during the ongoing construction and widening works of NH-66                                                                                                                                                          | The details of all accidents, mishaps and fatal incidents reported during the ongoing construction and widening works of NH-66   | The details of all accidents, mishaps and fatal incidents reported during the ongoing construction and widening works of NH-66   | The details of all accidents, mishaps and fatal incidents reported during the ongoing construction and widening works of NH-66   | The details of all accidents, mishaps and fatal incidents reported during the ongoing construction and widening works of NH-66                                            |
|-------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| S. no | Project Name                                                                                                                     | Concessionai re/ Sub contractor                                                                                                  | District                                                                                                                         | Details of Accidents/ Mishaps during the NH 66 widening Works                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | Date of incident                                                                                                                 | Constr uction Worker Fatality Details                                                                                            | passe ngers/ road users fatalit ies due to constr uction                                                                         | Status of action taken against concessionaire/ contractor along with penalty if any                                                                                       |
| 1     | 6L of Thalappady- Chengala                                                                                                       | M/s ULCCS                                                                                                                        | Kasaragod                                                                                                                        | During a temporary work stoppage due to heavy rain at Flyover P23-P24, the Employee went to the staging area without instruction or supervision and slipped while alighting from the stage. He sustained serious injuries and later succumbed during treatment at MIMS Hospital, Kannur | 23.07.2023                                                                                                                       | 1                                                                                                                                | 0                                                                                                                                | The immediate expenses and compensation amounting to Rs. 20 Lakhs has been paid through Concessionaire 's Insurance plan in accordance with Workmens Compensation Policy. |

|    |                               |                       | Two workers were deployed for ATMS installation works. At the time of accident, these two employees were standing on the roadside near to the pickup van. A truck moving towards Mangalapuram direction suddenly collided with the parked pickup van due to the overspeed and loss of control and hit these 2 workers who died on the   | 15.07.2025   |   2 |   0 | The immediate expenses and compensation amounting to Rs. 20 Lakhs has been paid through Concessionaire 's Insurance plan in accordance with Workmens Compensation Policy.   |
|----|-------------------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|-----|-----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|  2 | 6L of Chengala- Neeleshwara m | M/s Megha Engineering | Fatal accident occurred at the ramp when a worker fell from a height of about 6 metres during shuttering work due to failure to anchor the safety harness.                                                                                                                                                                              | 20.09.2025   |   1 |   0 | The compensation amounting to Rs.16,01,000/- has been paid through Concessionaire 's Insurance plan in accordance with Workmens Compensation Policy.                        |

| 3   | 6L of Neeleshwara m- Thalipparamb a   | M/s Megha          |        | A Construction worker died due to a fatal accident while unloading steel at the site.                                         | 29.06.2022   |   1 |   0 | The compensation amounting to Rs.16,38,525/- has been paid through Concessionaire 's Insurance plan in accordance with Workmens Compensation Policy.   |
|-----|---------------------------------------|--------------------|--------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|-----|-----|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 3   | 6L of Neeleshwara m- Thalipparamb a   | Engineering        |        | A fatal accident occurred at Km 98+750 (LHS) due to soil collapse near the work area, resulting in the death of one labourer. | 12.05.2025   |   1 |   0 | The compensation amounting to Rs.13,93,600/- has been paid through Concessionaire 's Insurance plan in accordance with Workmens Compensation Policy.   |
|     | 6L of Thalipparamb a- Muzhapilanga du | M/s Vishwa Samudra | Kannur | A fatal accident occurred when a workman came into close contact with earth moving equipment at site.                         | 21.08.2023   |   1 |   0 | The compensation amounting to Rs.20,97,850/- has been paid through Concessionaire 's Insurance                                                         |

|    |                         |           |           |                                                                                                                                                                                |            |    |    | plan in accordance with Workmens Compensation Policy.                                                                |
|----|-------------------------|-----------|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----|----|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 4  |                         |           |           | An accident occurred at Ch. 164+540 (MCW RHS) during streetlight erection work when an uncontrolled Eicher truck entered the barricaded work area and fatally struck a worker. | 25.03.2025 |  1 |  0 | The compensation amounting to Rs. 34,42,036 (16,42,260+17, 99,776) has been paid through Concessionaire 's Insurance |
|    |                         |           |           | An accident occurred at Ch. 157+110 (LHS) during raft finishing work when a portion of the cut soil wall collapsed, resulting in the death of one worker.                      | 24.05.2025 |  1 |  0 | plan in accordance with Workmens Compensation Policy.                                                                |
| 5  | 6L of Azhiyur- Vengalam | M/s Adani | Kozhikode | The Roller operator who went for restoring/maintena nce of the road to borrow area (during                                                                                     | 08.03.2024 |  1 |  0 | Compensation through the Insurance Company is in process.                                                            |

|    |                                |                              |          | transportation of soil from the borrow area soil spillage happened) while he was moving on down gradient lost his control and stuck between the rollers and that lead to death of operator.   |            |    |    |                                                           |
|----|--------------------------------|------------------------------|----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----|----|-----------------------------------------------------------|
|  6 | 6L of Kappirikkad- Thalikkulam | M/s Shivalaya Construction s | Thrissur | A fatal accident occurred when a worker fell from VUP pillar from a height of approx. 5 metres while coming down after shuttering work.                                                       | 19.12.2013 |  1 |  0 | Compensation through the Insurance Company is in process. |
|  7 | 6L of Thalikkulam- Kodungallur | M/s Shivalaya Construction s | Thrissur | A worker died in an fatal accident during the cleaning of WMM plant conveyor belt.                                                                                                            | 23.12.2023 |  1 |  0 | Compensation through the Insurance Company is in process. |
|  7 | 6L of Thalikkulam- Kodungallur | M/s Shivalaya Construction s | Thrissur | A worker died due to a fatal accident at Camp Site Yard 377+240 while unloading steel at the site.                                                                                            | 06.04.2024 |  1 |  0 | Compensation through the Insurance Company is in process. |

|   8 | 6-lane Elevated Highway Aroor- Thuravoor   | M/s Ashoka Buildcon   | Hydra crane hit on labour while clearing way for ambulance.    | 28.12.2023   |   1 |   0 | The compensation amounting to ₹16,38,525/- has been paid through Concessionaire 's Insurance plan in accordance with Workmens Compensation Policy.   |
|-----|--------------------------------------------|-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|-----|-----|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   8 | 6-lane Elevated Highway Aroor- Thuravoor   | M/s Ashoka Buildcon   | Shuttering sheet fall on worker while deshuttering.            | 23.03.2024   |   1 |   0 | The compensation amounting to                                                                                                                        |
|   8 | 6-lane Elevated Highway Aroor- Thuravoor   | M/s Ashoka Buildcon   | Construction worker fell down from deck slab during form work. | 16.04.2024   |   1 |   0 | ₹15,84,400/- and ₹14,92,950/- has been paid through Concessionaire 's Insurance plan in accordance with Workmens Compensation Policy.                |
|   8 | 6-lane Elevated Highway Aroor- Thuravoor   | M/s Ashoka Buildcon   | Electrical accident during water tank filling at Base camp.    | 20.10.2025   |   1 |   0 | 2 nos. of Compensation Policy, fatality insurance compensation                                                                                       |
|   8 | 6-lane Elevated Highway Aroor- Thuravoor   | M/s Ashoka Buildcon   | PSC Girder fell down on the                                    | 13.11.2025   |   0 |   1 | currently in                                                                                                                                         |

|    |                                              |                   |        | traveller.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |            |    |    | progress.                                                                                                                                           |
|----|----------------------------------------------|-------------------|--------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----|----|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 9  | 6L of Kottukulangar a-Start of Kollam Bypass | M/s Viswa Samudra | Kollam | The incident occurred during line work at Sakthikulagara. According to the Electrical sub- contractor, the worker climbed the electric pole after receiving shutdown confirmation from the KSEB supervisor. Unfortunately, the worker suffered an electric shock while working on the line and died on the spot. | 22.07.2024 |  1 |  0 | Workmens Compensation Policy Order issued for an amount of Rs16,49,625 and payment is in progress                                                   |
|    |                                              |                   |        | This accident occurred during the usual patrolling by the security staff. Accidentally, a mild steel channel slipped from the top of the girder and fell onto the head of Shri Vinod Singh, causing him to lose                                                                                                  | 21.07.2025 |  1 |  0 | Workmens Compensation Policy (WCP) Order issued for an amount of Rs 12,23,025/- and payment in progress in 1 case. In other case, WCP Order awaited |

|    |                                                |                              |        | consciousness. The co-staff immediately took him to the hospital; however, he died on the way.                                                                                                                                                                                                |            |    |    |                                                                                                                                                      |
|----|------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|--------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----|----|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|    |                                                |                              |        | The incident occurred during working hours when the worker was moving along the diversion road. A truck accidentally struck him, resulting in his death on the spot.                                                                                                                          | 25.10.2025 |  1 |  0 |                                                                                                                                                      |
| 10 | 6L of Start of Kollam Bypass- Kadambattuk onam | M/s Shivalaya Construction s | Kollam | During night-time soil dumping and grading operations. Mr. Md. Jobrayl, working as a Helper for the past five months, had been deployed to guide soil unloading. It appears that while awaiting the next vehicle, during the dumping by the dumper he was trapped under the dumped soil load, | 11.11.2025 |  1 |  0 | The compensation amounting to Rs.10,00,000/- has been paid through Concessionaire 's Insurance plan in accordance with Workmens Compensation Policy. |

| which resulted in his unfortunate death.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |            |    |    |                                                    |        |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|----|----|----------------------------------------------------|--------|
| Two numbers of workers from Shivalaya Construction Co. Pvt. Ltd. were engaged on the reinforce earth wall repair work on the service road. The Hyundai I 10 car, moving at high speed from the opposite direction while overtaking, struck one of the workers. As the result, the worker sustained severe head and leg injury and was immediately transported to a medical facility for treatment. Lateron, he passed away. | 03.02.2025 |  1 |  0 | Compensation through Insurance Company is process. | the in |
|                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | Total      | 22 |  1 |                                                    |        |