+
NHAI Debars Contractor Over Kerala Highway Collapse
ROADS & HIGHWAYS

NHAI Debars Contractor Over Kerala Highway Collapse

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has debarred Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL) for one year following a landslip and wall collapse along the Chengala–Neeleshwaram stretch of NH‑66 in Kerala. The incident on 16 June was attributed to inadequate slope protection and poor drainage, exposing dangerous design faults on the roadway.

In addition to debarment, MEIL has received a show-cause notice and may face a penalty of up to Rs 90 million. Under its Hybrid Annuity Model contract, MEIL holds responsibility for the maintenance of this highway section for 15 years and must undertake reconstruction of slope protection at its own expense.

To address the failure and its causes, the NHAI has appointed an expert panel comprising specialists from top institutions such as the Central Road Research Institute, IIT‑Palakkad and the Geological Survey of India. The team will inspect the affected zone, evaluate engineering practices, and recommend corrective measures to prevent similar failures.

The collapse occurred near Cherkkala in Kasaragod district following heavy rainfall and highlighted serious deficiencies in geotechnical planning and stormwater management. Prior to the collapse, concerns had been raised about unsafe slope cutting and reliance on thin cement coatings rather than structural retaining walls.

Construction in the area was temporarily halted, and the incident resonates with a previous tragedy in May 2025, when an 18‑year‑old worker died after a hillock collapsed at the same project, underscoring the ongoing risk to worker safety.

The NHAI’s action sends a strong message about enforcing contractor accountability and infrastructure integrity in highway development. The expert team’s findings and subsequent repairs will set important precedents for future geotechnical safety standards.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has debarred Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL) for one year following a landslip and wall collapse along the Chengala–Neeleshwaram stretch of NH‑66 in Kerala. The incident on 16 June was attributed to inadequate slope protection and poor drainage, exposing dangerous design faults on the roadway.In addition to debarment, MEIL has received a show-cause notice and may face a penalty of up to Rs 90 million. Under its Hybrid Annuity Model contract, MEIL holds responsibility for the maintenance of this highway section for 15 years and must undertake reconstruction of slope protection at its own expense.To address the failure and its causes, the NHAI has appointed an expert panel comprising specialists from top institutions such as the Central Road Research Institute, IIT‑Palakkad and the Geological Survey of India. The team will inspect the affected zone, evaluate engineering practices, and recommend corrective measures to prevent similar failures.The collapse occurred near Cherkkala in Kasaragod district following heavy rainfall and highlighted serious deficiencies in geotechnical planning and stormwater management. Prior to the collapse, concerns had been raised about unsafe slope cutting and reliance on thin cement coatings rather than structural retaining walls.Construction in the area was temporarily halted, and the incident resonates with a previous tragedy in May 2025, when an 18‑year‑old worker died after a hillock collapsed at the same project, underscoring the ongoing risk to worker safety.The NHAI’s action sends a strong message about enforcing contractor accountability and infrastructure integrity in highway development. The expert team’s findings and subsequent repairs will set important precedents for future geotechnical safety standards.

Next Story
Real Estate

Omaxe to Develop 450-Acre Township in Indore’s Super Corridor

Omaxe has announced a major expansion in Madhya Pradesh with the acquisition of 450 acres along Indore’s Super Corridor for a modern integrated township. The company will invest Rs 12 billion in the multi-phase project, which is expected to generate Rs 25 billion in revenue over three years.  The development will include residential clusters, commercial and retail zones, schools, healthcare facilities, parks, and green mobility infrastructure. The township aims to support the region’s urban growth and rising infrastructure demand, especially with metro connectivity and major road..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

India’s First CBG Plant with Steel Pipeline Integration Launched

CEID Consultants and Engineering has successfully commissioned India’s first Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant integrated via a steel pipeline into a City Gas Distribution (CGD) network. Located in Batala, Gurdaspur (Punjab), the MEPL Bio-energy facility now directly supplies CBG into Gujarat Gas’ grid, eliminating the need for cylinder-based cascade transport and significantly lowering logistics costs. This breakthrough comes after CEID’s earlier deployment of MDPE pipeline offtake at the same plant. The steel pipeline marks a new industry benchmark, enabling continuous, real-time and ..

Next Story
Real Estate

Mittal Builders Plans Landmark Township to Transform Naigaon

Mittal Builders has unveiled a bold urban vision to transform Naigaon into a landmark micro-market in western Mumbai, with plans to unlock 6.5 million sq. ft. of development potential across a 70-acre land parcel. The long-term multi-phase plan has an estimated gross development value (GDV) of over Rs 80 billion. As part of this initiative, Mittal Builders has signed a joint development agreement with The House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) to co-develop a 3 million sq. ft. integrated township, comprising over 4,600 apartments and high-street retail. With a planned investment of Rs 20 billi..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?