The Vyttila Junction on the Edapally-Aroor NH 66 Bypass, where the Metro viaduct passes above the six-lane flyover, in Kochi.
| Photo Credit: H. VIBHU
The Kerala government has decided to appoint geotechnical experts to examine and recommend remedial measures for issues related to the construction of national highways in the State.
Public Works department (PWD) Minister P.K. Basheer, who chaired a high-level meeting here on Wednesday (June 17, 2026), said the move was aimed at addressing issues that have arisen in connection with construction of national highway and the concerns subsequently raised by the public.
Officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), who attended the meeting, informed the Minister that eight geotechnical agencies had been appointed at various locations along National Highway 66. Technical experts, including G. V. Rao and T. K. Subhash, will lead the inspections conducted by these agencies.
Of the total 642 km of National Highway 66, the work on 519 km (81%) has been completed. The Minister also directed that the remaining work be completed within a year. Mr. Basheer also said that he will soon meet Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari seeking allocation of more national highway projects to Kerala.
The Minister further directed that land acquisition cases be resolved in a time-bound manner and that the District Collectors appoint dedicated full-time teams for this purpose. National Highways Regional Officer A. K. Janbaz, PWD Secretary Adeela Abdulla, Public Works Additional Secretary V. R. Vinod, District Collectors from across the State, NHAI Project Directors, Chief Engineer of National Highways, and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Published – June 17, 2026 08:37 pm IST
