The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has debarred Hyderabad-based KNR Constructions and project consultant Highway Engineering Consultants (HEC) from all ongoing and future bids following the collapse of a reinforced-earth (RE) wall on the under-construction NH-66 at Kooriyad in Malappuram, Kerala. A preliminary inquiry by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) attributed the failure to negligent assessment of ground conditions and insufficient enhancement of soil bearing capacity prior to embankment works.
A two-member expert committee—comprising geotechnical specialists Jimmy Thomas and Anil Dixit, under the supervision of retired IIT-Delhi professor G. V. Rao—inspected the site and concluded that the foundation soil could not support the embankment loads, leading to settlement and wall collapse. The committee has been tasked with recommending remedial measures, issuing guidelines for other Kerala projects, and ensuring implementation at the concessionaire’s risk and cost.
MoRTH has suspended KNR’s project manager, M. Amarnath Reddy, and HEC’s team leader, Rajkumar, pending further investigation. Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari affirmed stern action against those responsible, while IUML MP E. T. Mohammed Basheer welcomed swift measures but urged comprehensive inspections to prevent delays and safeguard public safety.
Repair works will proceed under expert-advice protocols, with NHAI emphasizing adherence to rigorous geotechnical surveys, real-time soil monitoring, and reinforced quality controls to avert future failures across India’s highway network.
