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Kerala CM holds NHAI accountable for NH 66 cave-in; contractor suspended for one month

THRISSUR/KOLLAM : Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday urged the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to take full responsibility for the incident in which a section of the under-construction NH 66 stretch caved in near Kottiyam in Kollam. Stating that the Kerala government and public works department (PWD) has no role in NH construction, Pinarayi said: The work on NH 66 is fully monitored by NHAI. They have their own system for it. The portion of the road that was destroyed should be reconstructed properly, he said at the Meet-the-Press programme at the Thrissur Press Club. He said the state government and PWD were helpless in the matter, other than seeking NHAIs intervention. Meanwhile, the Union government has taken strict action against the contracting company Sivalaya Constructions responsible for NH development on Kollam-Mylakkad stretch. NHAI sources said, the firm has been barred for one month from participating in any contracting processes. A show-cause notice has been issued, asking why the company should not be permanently blacklisted for the lapse, said a source. The project manager and resident engineer appointed by the contractor have been removed from their positions. Speaking in Thrissur, Pinarayi said: Usually, when a road is being constructed, NHAI is in charge of everything right from design. We cannot interfere in such aspects. Central PWD to conduct inspection at damaged stretch Around four days ago, I spoke to the NHAI regional director. We cannot interfere in their procedures, but we sought to know when the construction work would be completed. Meetings are held for understanding the progress of the work, Pinarayi said. Asked about the technical aspects of whether the NH 66 construction is being carried out in keeping with the terrain, the CM said it was NHAI that carried out the technical tests before construction work. Just because a portion of the road was destroyed, we should not ignore the fact that the work on the remaining stretches has been continuing without any issues, he added. Meanwhile, a team from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) will conduct an inspection at the damaged stretch. Public Works Minister P A Mohamed Riyas had written to the Union Government seeking urgent action. CPWD officials will inspect the site to determine whether there were faults in the retaining walls design, an NHAI source said. In addition, a three-member NHAI team is also expected to carry out a separate inspection on Sunday.