NHAI Debars Contractor Over Kerala Highway Collapse

19 Jun 2025 CW Team

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.

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