A section of the national highway under construction near Mylakkadu in Kollam subsided on Friday, prompting a preliminary investigation
Kollam: A national highway under construction near Mylakkadu in Kottiyam, Kollam, collapsed on Friday at 3:45 PM, leaving more than 100 metres of the flyover side wall sunk onto the service road. A school bus and three cars were on the service road at the time but avoided major accidents.
The National Highways Authority has not publicly stated the cause of the caving in, saying officials will study the incident in detail before providing information. At a meeting on Saturday, the Kollam Collector requested clarity on the large crater on the flyover and the cracks on the service road. Regional Officer Janbas, representing the National Highways division online, did not provide a definitive answer, maintaining that details would be shared after the study report.
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The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a one-month ban on the contractor, Shivalaya Constructions, based on a preliminary review suggesting lapses in foundational construction and soil testing. An expert committee led by Dr Jimmy Thomas from IIT Kanpur and Dr T.K. Sudheesh from IIT Palakkad visited the site on Saturday and collected data. The final report is expected in the coming days, and further action will be taken based on its findings.
Public works department officials have concluded in the preliminary investigation that the road may have caved in due to construction on a muddy foundation. The affected stretch involved soil filled to a height of approximately 30 feet over a swampy area, with a drain running beneath the section that collapsed. Officials note that water flow and the weight of the filled soil could have caused soil movement beneath the road, contributing to the collapse. The possibility of soil bulging in surrounding areas proportional to the crater is also being considered.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are prioritising a detailed study of the foundation and soil conditions to determine the precise cause of the collapse.
Published: 07 Dec 2025, 09:47 am IST
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