Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday described the recent landslips and collapses along under-construction national highways in Kerala as “unfortunate”, adding that discussions would be held with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to assess whether construction had been carried out in accordance with the natural terrain.

The statement came amid a series of structural failures reported from Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kasaragod districts, raising safety concerns as monsoon approaches.

“We will hold talks with the National Highways Authority and take necessary action. Naturally, measures aligned with the terrain need to be implemented. We will discuss with the Authority if there have been any lapses in this regard,” the Chief Minister said during a press conference outlining development initiatives on the occasion of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s fourth anniversary.

Multiple sites damaged across Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Kasaragod

Heavy rainfall over recent days has triggered landslips and structural failures in several stretches of the under-construction six-lane national highway network. In Malappuram alone, two locations witnessed severe damage within hours. A section at Vengara collapsed on Monday evening. Early Tuesday, a landslip near Thalappara left a newly completed stretch with a deep fissure, prompting immediate traffic suspension.

Later that day, the service road at Malaparamba in Kozhikode drooped, disrupting vehicular movement. In Kasaragod’s Kanhangad, near Mavungal, the service road next to the national highway also collapsed, creating a large pit near Kalyan Road.

Though no injuries were reported in the Vengara collapse, visuals of the fractured road, built nearly 50 feet above surrounding paddy fields, went viral and triggered widespread criticism. The region is known for monsoon flooding and locals had repeatedly warned that construction ignored the natural flow of the Kadalundi River.

Construction flaws flagged earlier

Warnings about the Kooriyad stretch had previously surfaced. A Mathrubhumi report dated 5 April flagged visible cracks in cement structures during ongoing work. Residents raised concerns over the elevated upper portions of the road being poorly supported by the foundational base.

Following the latest incidents, the National Highways division announced that action would be taken only after expert assessment. “Only through expert inspection can the depth and extent of the damage be assessed,” said P.P.M. Ashraf, liaison officer. Based on findings, measures such as road demolition and reconstruction will be evaluated.

Ongoing issues across NH projects

Similar incidents have been noted in the past. Between Ayankalam and Ponnani, the road at Panthepala had earlier collapsed. Its reconstruction involved demolishing over 100 metres, rebuilding the foundation, and took five months to complete. After the service road there sank, the main road also experienced subsidence.

Now, the damage in Kooriyad could further delay the inauguration of two near-complete stretches in Malappuram that had reached 99 per cent completion.

Monsoon could worsen highway vulnerabilities

Structural failures were also recorded in Kollam’s Kallumthazham in February, where part of the bypass road collapsed. During earlier work in Hanumarambalam, Kasaragod, a landslip occurred while earth was being moved, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old migrant worker.

These recent incidents, compounded by prior warnings and fatalities, underscore the structural vulnerability of ongoing highway works, especially in monsoon-prone Kerala. With many stretches yet incomplete, the onset of heavy rains poses serious risks to infrastructure, commuter safety, and project timelines.