Forum to conduct social audit of NH 66 project in Kozhikode

The Registered Engineers and Supervisors’ Federation (RENSFED) is planning to conduct a social audit of the ongoing National Highway (NH) 66 construction project in Kozhikode district and identify the spots that could pose a threat in the future.

It was announced at a seminar on technical and environmental issues associated with the NH construction on Tuesday against the backdrop of several recent instances in which the NH had caved in across the State, especially in Malappuram district. Ahammad Devarkovil, MLA, inaugurated the seminar.

A panel of experts, including T.P. Somasundaran and S. Chandrakaran, former heads of the Department of Civil Engineering at National Institute of Technology-Calicut; Suresh Babu N., former head of the Department of Civil Engineering at Government Polytechnic, Kozhikode; and environmental activist Manalil Mohanan, were part of the discussions.

The panel claimed that the technology used in the construction of the highway did not fail, but the faults in implementation and supervision had caused the damage in most places. It noted that enough time was not given for the soil at the base to settle down before huge structures were built on it. The companies that carried out the construction should have given due consideration to the flow of water and the geographical peculiarities of Kerala, they noted.

“There are areas similar to Kooriyad in Kozhikode district through which the NH passes. So they are also vulnerable in the same manner. Through the social audit, we plan to bring such issues to the notice of the authorities. It is up to them whether to accept it or not,” said K.K. Sudheesh Kumar, district secretary of RENSFED.

Some major defects on the NH that were pointed out in the seminar included lack of drainage in the carriageway, allowing water to fall directly on service roads and unscientific soil nailing without considering the nature of the soil. “No proper study has been conducted in places where the NH collapsed to determine if the viaducts were suitable there,” Mr. Kumar said.

Published - June 10, 2025 07:52 pm IST