After NH-66 Section Embankment Collapse In Kerala, Centre Bars Construction And Consultancy Firms Involved

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Thursday (22 May) barred KNR Constructions Ltd from participating in any ongoing or future tenders for a period of two years.

The decision comes in the wake of a structural collapse on the elevated section of National Highway 66 in Malappuram district in Kerala.

The incident occurred on the Ramanattukara–Valanchery stretch of NH-66, where a portion of the embankment and the reinforced earth (RE) wall collapsed while the project was nearing completion.

According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), a preliminary assessment indicates that the failure was likely caused by the inability of the foundation soils to support the high embankment loads.

"Prima facie, the incident occurred due to negligence of the concessionaire to confirm the ground conditions and improve ground bearing capacity prior to the commencement of work," the ministry said in a statement.

"Taking strict action against the Concessionaire, NHAI has disallowed M/s KNR Constructions Ltd from participating in ongoing/ future bidding forthwith," the ministry said.

"Project Consultant / Independent Engineer, M/s Highway Engineering Consultant has also been disallowed from participating in ongoing / future bidding," the ministry added.

Furthermore, the project manager from KNR Constructions and the team leader from the consulting firm have both been suspended from their duties.

To assess the damage and recommend corrective steps, a two-member expert panel—led by a retired professor from IIT Delhi—visited the site.

Based on their findings, remedial work will be carried out at the risk and cost of KNR Constructions.

The panel is also expected to suggest measures for other highway projects currently underway across Kerala to prevent similar incidents.

The ministry has directed the issuance of new guidelines aimed at strengthening project monitoring and soil assessment practices to ensure such failures do not recur in the future.

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