Lok Sabha Question No. 16 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Ghat Section of Thamarassery-Churam on NH-766
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 16

## ANSWERED ON 29 th  JANUARY, 2026

## GHAT SECTION OF THAMARASSERY-CHURAM ON NH-766

16.       SMT. PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

- (a)         whether  the  Government  proposes  to  develop  alternative routes  on  the  ghat  section  of  Thamarassery-Churam  on  National Highway (NH)-766;
- (b)       if so, the details thereof and the current status including details of the Chippilithode-Maruthilavu-Thalippuzha bypass road;
- (c) whether long-term measures taken/being taken by the Government  to  mitigate  landslips  on  NH-766  in  Wayanad  Lok  Sabha Constituency, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of landslips/mud-slips reported on NH-766  in Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency since 2019 including the locations thereof, year-wise;
- (e)        the details of accident-prone black spots identified on NH-766 in  Wayanad  Lok  Sabha  Constituency  and  the  action  taken  by  the Government to rectify the same; and
- (f)        whether the Government proposes to take further measures to improve  road  safety  on  NH766  in  Wayanad  Lok  Sabha  Constituency and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) &  (b) The  ghat  section  between  Thamarassery-Churam  on National Highway (NH)-766 has been examined by an expert team and short-term  and  long-term  measures  have  been  recommended.  Shortterm safety and slope protection measures are being coordinated with the State authorities. Long-term measures, including permanent stabilization and geometric improvements, and/or any bypass/alternative connectivity will be included in the development of NH-766 and shall be firmed up based on the outcome of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), subject to feasibility and statutory clearances.
- (c)     To mitigate landslides in the said stretch, site-specific measures such  as  slope  stabilization,  drainage  improvement,  protective  works and  traffic  management  are  being  undertaken  from  time  to  time  in coordination with the State Government.
- (d)    Landslides/mud-slips  affecting  NH-766  are  attended  to  as  and when they occur through debris clearance, emergency restoration and temporary traffic regulation, in coordination with the State authorities. During  the  period  since  2019,  following  landslide/mud-slip  incidents have been reported in the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency, particularly in Thamarassery Churam/ghat sections, during monsoon season including notable events in 2019, 2022, 2024 and 2025:
- (e)        Based on accident data during various assessment cycles from 2016-2022  at  various  locations,  a  total  of  32  accident-prone  black spots have been identified on NH-766. Rectification measures such as all carried out. Permanent rectification of blackspots is included in the scope of

|   Year | Details of Landslides                                                       |
|--------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   2019 | One landslip reported from km 30/000 to km 57/000 (Thamarassery to Lakkidi) |
|   2020 | NIL                                                                         |
|   2021 | NIL                                                                         |
|   2022 | One landslip reported from km 45/000 to km 61/000 (Adivaram to Lakkidi)     |
|   2023 | NIL                                                                         |

|   2024 | From km 67/000 to km 71/000 (Chundale to Kalpetta) From km 45/500 to km 57/000 (Adivaram to Lakkidi)   |
|--------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   2025 | One landslip reported at km 56/500 near Lakkidi View Point                                             |

provision of signage,  road  markings,  crash  barriers, etc. for identified black spots have already been the DPR work. (f)            Road  safety  on  NH-766  is  reviewed  periodically.  Further measures, wherever required, are taken based on-site conditions and

- technical assessment.

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