NHAI bars KNR after embankment collapse on NH-66 in Kerala

23 May 2025 CW Team

A structural failure involving the settlement of an embankment and collapse of a Reinforced Earth (RE) wall was reported on 19th May 2025 on the Ramanattukara–Valanchery section of NH-66 in Kerala. The incident occurred as the project neared completion.

Preliminary findings indicate that the failure was due to the concessionaire’s negligence in assessing and strengthening ground conditions before execution. In response, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has barred M/s KNR Constructions Ltd from participating in any ongoing or future bids.

The Project Consultant/Independent Engineer, M/s Highway Engineering Consultant, has also been disallowed from bidding in current and upcoming projects. Additionally, the Project Manager of the Concessionaire and the Team Leader of the Consultant have been suspended.

To address the situation, NHAI has mobilised a two-member expert team under the guidance of a retired IIT-Delhi professor to assess the failure and recommend remedial actions. The reconstruction will be undertaken at the risk and cost of the concessionaire.

Further, the expert team will propose preventive measures for similar projects across Kerala. NHAI will issue new guidelines to mitigate the risk of recurrence in other ongoing works.

The experts’ initial assessment attributes the failure to inadequate bearing capacity of the foundation soil beneath the high embankment load.

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