A day after Kerala wrote a letter to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari seeking immediate action into the collapse of an under-construction embankment at Mylakkadu, near Kottiyam, on Friday on the National Highway, the Centre began steps to blacklist the construction company. According to sources, the Union government has issued a show cause notice to the company as to why blacklisting should not be considered against it for the alleged failure in work.
The project manager and resident engineer of the contractor company have also been transferred temporarily. An expert committee will be visiting the site soon, and further action will be taken based on the committee’s report. Public Works department (PWD) Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas had sent the letter seeking the Centre’s immediate intervention in the matter.
State inquiry
The letter also demanded that the construction of the National Highway 66 be completed on time without compromising the quality and safety of the project. The Minister has also ordered an immediate investigation into the collapse by the PWD secretary. The National Highway Authority of India has informed that experts will be appointed to conduct a detailed examination into the incident.
The sidewall of the approach road structure of the National Highway caved in on Friday, leaving large craters on the service road below and trapping vehicles, including a school bus, along the stretch. The accident occurred on the 31.25 km Kadampattukonam-Kollam stretch, where the construction was entrusted to Shivalaya Construction Limited. The State government had earlier given permission to use the soil excavated from the Ashtamudi lake for the construction of the National Highway. It is not clear whether this soil was used at the site where the road collapsed.
Published – December 06, 2025 09:09 pm IST
