Insufficient workforce hits pace of NH widening works in Kozhikode

The ongoing widening of National Highway-66 in Kozhikode district continues to face significant delays despite earlier decisions to strengthen the workforce. The decision, taken at a district-level meeting convened by District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh, has not been implemented, leading mainly to slow progress on the Vengalam–Azhiyoor stretch.

“The work remains particularly slow between the Azhiyoor–Nadapuram Road and Nadapuram Road–Puthuppanam stretches. Although the completion targets had earlier been set for December 2025 and March 2026 respectively, officials indicated that difficult terrain, limited manpower, and pending embankment and flyover works could further delay the timeline,” says V. Ratheesh, a member of a local action council at Vadakara. He points out that there has been no significant increase in the number of workers on site even after the work resumed, which had earlier been interrupted by the monsoon downpour.

According to members of the local action council, several major works, including soil nailing corrections at Kannukkara and Madappally, remain untouched. The Nadapuram Road–Puthuppanam stretch is the most affected, with four flyovers and embankment works still pending. They allege that construction of the Madappally underpass is yet to begin, while a shortage of soil for filling works continues to cause disruptions across multiple locations.

At an earlier review meeting, officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) reaffirmed their plans to complete all emergency repairs on the highway in a time-bound manner, covering the affected areas. However, the worst-hit spots near Vadakara have shown no improvement even after several rounds of review meetings and field-level assessments.

“It is the inadequate workforce that delays the whole project. There are no proper field-level inspections to monitor progress and implement the required corrections. With such a minimal workforce, the contractors will not be able to meet the deadline,” says T.K. Subhash, another action committee member. He adds that a new committee should be formed by the district administration to ensure a thorough review of the project.

Fed up with the poor condition of the road, a section of private bus operators had earlier resorted to flash strikes on the route. According to them, the road’s poor condition was one of the major reasons for recurring mechanical issues in vehicles. Water-filled potholes, inadequate lighting, and the lack of proper warning boards have also emerged as major issues on the accident-prone route.

Meanwhile, NHAI sources say arrangements have already been made for daily monitoring and submission of reports. They add that the alleged delay in strengthening the workforce will be examined again in light of public complaints.