Kollam NH collapse: Probe ordered amid escalating political slugfest

Kollam, Kerala: A high-level probe has been ordered after the retaining wall of an under-construction stretch of National Highway-66 collapsed at Mylakkadu in Kollam, damaging the service road and trapping several vehicles, including a school bus. While no casualties were reported, the incident has intensified questions over construction safety and responsibility.

Emergency actions are under way to stabilise the site and restore essential services. The Kerala Water Authority has begun supplying drinking water in the affected area, while damaged panels are being replaced. Authorities aim to fully restore traffic on the right service road by Sunday, with partial movement for small vehicles on the left side expected by Monday noon.

The District Collector said underground power cables damaged in the collapse will be replaced as soon as the required report is submitted. Home guards and volunteers will assist in regulating traffic until full normalcy returns.

Who will investigate the collapse?

The National Highways Authority of India has directed an expert team from Delhi to conduct a detailed inquiry. The authority has also been asked to submit records of all inspections carried out during the construction phase.

To prevent similar incidents elsewhere, officials from the Groundwater, Geology, Public Works, National Highway and Road divisions will jointly inspect vulnerable stretches, including Kottiyam, Mevvaram, Parakkulam and Kadavoor.

Who is responsible?

Kerala Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal, after inspecting the site, placed full responsibility on the NHAI and the construction agency, saying the state’s role ended with land acquisition. Minister J. Chinchurani also visited the location.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reiterated that national highways fall entirely under NHAI’s purview, from design to execution. He noted that the state PWD only engages in review meetings to monitor progress and does not intervene in technical matters. He added that past assessments by the agency had shown errors in certain terrains, which the state had flagged.

What does the Opposition say?

Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan accused both state and central governments of negligence, alleging widespread lapses in NH projects statewide. He criticised officials for avoiding accountability despite repeated failures and warned that commuters are at ongoing risk. He also claimed there were concerns of corruption in road construction.

The incident has revived the debate on national highway safety in Kerala, with the probe expected to determine whether structural or procedural failures led to the collapse.