Kollam highway cave-in: Inspection report expected today

Kollam: The inspection report on the collapse of the under‑construction national highway near Kottiyam, Mylakkadu, is likely to be submitted on Monday by the team of experts investigating the incident.

Preliminary findings suggest that the foundation lacked sufficient strength, causing the elevated road to press down and damage the adjoining service road. It is also reported that the base was not constructed with adequate reinforcement in the marshland area.

The highway had been built by filling paddy fields and wetlands, where the soil was soft and unable to bear heavy loads. The expert team has examined the accuracy of soil testing and possible flaws in the design. A clearer picture will only emerge once the report is released. It will also be crucial to see whether the report comments on any violation of guidelines issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The expert committee, led by Dr Jimmy Thomas of IIT Kanpur and Dr TK Sudheesh of IIT Palakkad, visited the accident site to collect information. Representatives of the National Highways Authority accompanied them. Reports suggest the district administration was not informed of the visit, despite earlier notices stating the team would arrive.

The experts are understood to have carried out detailed inspections of the construction methods, the surrounding soil and the marshland conditions.