If construction proceeds as planned, Kerala’s long-awaited National Highway 66 (NH 66) upgrade is set for inauguration by January 2026, according to Public Works Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas. The announcement followed his meeting with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi.
Riyas described the discussion as “very positive,” noting that around 450 km of the NH 66 stretch in Kerala has already been completed. “I informed the Union Minister about lapses by a few contractors who initially deployed limited manpower. However, the workforce has now tripled, and Gadkari has directed that pending works be expedited,” he said. Gadkari is expected to personally review the project’s progress during his Kerala visit in January.
The Minister also pointed out that delays were caused by issues in certain stretches—Kasaragod–Taliparamba, Azhiyoor–Vengalam, and Vadakara—mainly due to contractor inefficiencies.
The NH 66 project recently drew public criticism after newly built sections in Malappuram, Kannur, and Kasaragod suffered partial collapses, prompting concerns over unscientific construction practices on elevated portions. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has since been directed to ensure stricter quality control and improved engineering standards.
Stretching from Panvel in Maharashtra to Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, NH 66 traverses the entire length of Kerala, passing through Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Guruvayur, Kochi, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram.
Project Overview
- Scope: Upgrading and widening approximately 643 km of NH 66 in Kerala into a six-lane, signal-free corridor with service roads.
- Objective: To enhance connectivity, cut travel time, and support economic growth along Kerala’s coastal belt.
- Current Status: Major portions completed; remaining stretches under accelerated construction.
- Target Completion: January 2026, with some estimates suggesting possible extension to May 2026 if weather or repair-related delays persist.
Once fully operational, NH 66 is expected to revolutionize north–south road connectivity in Kerala, easing congestion and supporting trade, tourism, and regional mobility across the coastal state.
