Kerala human rights panel orders urgent repair of potholed NH 66 bypass
SHRC directs NHAI to urgently resurface potholed stretches of the Aroor-Edappally NH 66 bypass, citing accidents and traffic jams.
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has ordered the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to immediately repair severely damaged stretches of the Aroor-Vyttila-Palarivattom NH 66 bypass. The directive follows a suo motu case registered by the Commission after media reports highlighted the corridor's deteriorating condition.
Commission Chairperson Alexander Thomas noted that potholes and broken expansion joints on bridges have led to accidents and prolonged traffic congestion on one of the state's busiest highway sections. Specific trouble spots identified include the Vyttila railway overbridge near Ponnurunni, the Kumbalam-Aroor bridge, approach roads to the Panangad-Kumbalam and Netoor-Kundannur bridges, and the road near Madavana.
The Commission has instructed the District Collector to identify the responsible agency and issue necessary directions. Engineers are required to conduct site inspections and complete resurfacing work. Both the Collector and the executive engineers must submit action-taken reports by the first week of October.
Additionally, the concerned engineers and a Collector's representative have been summoned to appear before the Commission on October 23 at the PWD Rest House in Pathadipalam.
Commuters, traffic police, and civil society groups have repeatedly complained about the slow pace of repairs on the 16-km Aroor-Edappally stretch. In a related move last week, the SHRC also directed the PWD's NH wing to resurface the severely potholed Kundannur-Thevara bridge.