Image of highway.
Credit: Special Arrangement
Thiruvananthapuram: With the damages in the under construction stretches of NH-66 in some parts of Kerala triggering serious safety concerns, the ministry for road transport and highways has reportedly taken action against the construction firm.
It is learnt that KNR Constructions, which has been carrying out the work in the stretch in Malappuram that collapsed, was reportedly debarred, while the consultant firm and two officials were placed under suspension.
A portion of the NH collapsed at Kooriyad in Malappuram district on Monday. Subsequently minor damages on various stretches of the NH nearing construction came to light. A preliminary examination by a team of experts had found flaws in the construction of the embankment, leading to the swift action being taken.
Indian Union Muslim League MP E T Mohammed Basheer had called on minister for road transport and highway Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday and sought action.
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said in a statement that the union minister had informed that the contractor involved in the work was already barred and loss suffered due to the damage would be recovered from the firm. Immediate steps would be taken to resume the work, he said.
Meanwhile, the political blame game over the damages in the NH further aggravated on Thursday.
Union minister of state for tourism and MP from Kerala Suresh Gopi alleged that the detailed project report of the NH construction was altered several times as part of appeasing some sections. It had led to non-viable methods of construction at certain stretches, he said.
Former union minister and BJP leader V Muraleedharan blamed that it was the state government that took over the land for the NH constriction after fixing the alignment. Hence the state government should clarify whether the land was taken over after carrying out environmental impact studies. "The state government was so far making big claims over the NH construction. Then why are they not owning up the responsibility for the flaws," Muraleedhran asked.
Kerala public work minister P A Muhammed Riyas alleged that the Congress was trying to sabotage the NH construction in Kerala by taking the present situation as an opportunity.
Riyas's reaction came amidst widespread criticism against him as he recently stated that the state government was constantly supervising the NH construction work.