PM Modi Inaugurates Rs 17.04 Bn NH-66 Stretch in Kerala

16 Mar 2026 CW Team

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Thalappady–Chengala stretch of National Highway 66 in Kerala, marking a key milestone in the upgradation of the western coastal highway corridor. Built at a cost of Rs 17.04 billion, the 39-km six-lane highway strengthens connectivity in northern Kerala and forms part of the larger NH-66 expansion programme in the state.

The project was executed by Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS) and is the first among the 23 NH-66 stretches in Kerala to be completed. Construction began in November 2021 and was completed in August 2025, after which the stretch was handed over to the National Highways Authority of India and opened to traffic. ULCCS is the only Kerala-based organisation to have secured a contract for the NH-66 upgrade programme.

The highway includes notable engineering features such as the country’s longest single-pillar six-lane bridge built using a box girder system. The project was also recognised with the National Highways Excellence Award 2023 from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

During construction, ULCCS incorporated several environmental initiatives including transplanting mature trees and planting saplings from a rare 40-year-old mango tree. Work at the site was also temporarily paused for nearly 55 days to allow the safe hatching of python eggs discovered during construction.

The completion of the Thalappady–Chengala stretch is expected to improve traffic movement along NH-66 and enhance the transportation of goods and passengers along India’s western coastal corridor.

Technology

16 Mar 2026

CTS Roundtable Charts Tech-Led Roadmap for Construction

Ahead of the Construction Technology Show (Con Tech Show) 2026, industry leaders, technology innovators and academia came together in Mumbai to deliberate on how digitalisation, automation and industrialised construction can reshape the sector. The discussion made one thing clear: construction can no longer afford to treat technology as optional.Held on 12 March 2026 at Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai, alongside the Infrastructure Today Airport Conclave, the CTS Roundtable served as a precursor to the Construction Technology Show 2026, scheduled for 19–20 August 2026 at NESCO, Mumbai.A platfor..

RAHSTA Roundtable Sets Agenda for Smarter, Safer Highways

Held on 12 March 2026 at Courtyard by Marriott, Mumbai, alongside the Infrastructure Today Airport Conclave, the RAHSTA Roundtable brought together stakeholders from across the highways and infrastructure ecosystem to shape the agenda for the 16th RAHSTA 2026, scheduled for 8–9 July 2026 at the Jio Convention Centre, Mumbai. The session focused on key industry themes including road construction, technology, safety and long-term sustainability.Opening the discussion, Pratap Padode, Founder, FIRST Construction Council, said the roundtable marked the beginning of a broader consultative process ..

Hindustan Zinc Launches All-Women Smelting Operations Team

Hindustan Zinc has launched ‘Tejaswini’, an all-women team to lead operations at the Leaching & Purification section of its Chanderiya Smelting Complex, one of the world’s largest and most advanced zinc smelting facilities. The move marks a major step in expanding women’s leadership in core operational roles within India’s metals and mining sector.A team of 30 women professionals will oversee process operations, maintenance and safety across Leaching & Purification–I, U-II and CLZS units, a critical part of the company’s hydrometallurgy operations that directly impacts zi..