School children narrowly escape as NH-66 under construction stretch collapses in Kerala's kollam

Thiruvananthapuram: Many, including school children, had a narrow escape after a portion of a national highway (NH-66) undergoing widening work collapsed at Kollam in Kerala on Friday.

The frequent collapses of NH under construction at various parts of Kerala had triggered strong protest and raised demand for proper scientific evaluation.

The elevated stretch of the NH under construction caved in leading to large cracks on the adjacent service road through which normal traffic was allowed.

Several vehicles, including a school bus, were passing through the stretch.

Panicked passengers swiftly moved out of the vehicles that were trapped in the cracks. Around 20 students in the school bus were also evacuated swiftly. No one was injured.

Over the last few months there were several instances of under construction stretches of the NH collapsing in the state, especially at elevated portions.

Congress alleged that there was serious irregularities and corruption in the ongoing NH widening works across the state.