Kozhikode: The 77-km stretch of National Highway 66 in Malappuram district has seen a sharp rise in accidents in recent months, raising concerns over road safety.

Vehicles, including lorries, parked along the under-construction Vengalam-Ramanattukara stretch of NH 66 are raising safety concerns, officials and locals said.

Lorries are reportedly being left overnight on the service road and at entry and exit points connecting the highway to the service road, often without warning signs. Residents noted that many of the vehicles belong to operators from other states and have been linked to a rising number of accidents.

Some lorries are also parked near the Pantheerankavu toll plaza, where toll collection has not yet begun. “Since the toll collection has not started, vehicles often travel at high speeds on the highway and service road at night, making the parked roadside vehicles hard to see. Accidents are likely under such conditions,” said a local resident.

Traffic North Assistant Commissioner L Suresh Babu said night inspections are carried out, and vehicles found parked illegally are asked to move. Locals, however, called for stricter enforcement, citing repeated violations despite warnings.