Construction works on two reaches of the National Highway 66 widening project undertaken by Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) are in the final stage and major works are expected to be completed before the onset of the monsoon. The key works are progressing on the Cherkala-Nileshwaram and Nileshwaram-Taliparamba reaches. The major construction activities could be finished before the rainy season begins, a senior company official said.
“Around 90% of the works in the Cherkala-Nileshwaram reach have already been completed. Only the final phase works on a few service road stretcges and a few bridges remain. Except for a few minor additional works, the plan is to complete all pending work before June.,” the official said. A small portion of the road at Chengala Vayal is yet to be completed, but it would be finished before the monsoon, he assured.
He further said that construction is also progressing rapidly on the Nileshwaram-Taliparamba reach, where about 87% of the work has been completed. Officials expect to submit a report showing 90% completion by the end of this month, he said. However, construction in Cheruvathur has been delayed due to an ongoing protest demanding an underpass. A Central government order for the underpass is expected, the official said.
The company had earlier proposed constructing two-track service roads by leaving 50 metres on both sides of the existing overbridge, but the protest committee rejected the proposal. The construction in these reaches could be completed by June, the company said.
According to the original contract, the works in these reaches were scheduled for completion by December last year. However, due to technical issues and other factors, the deadline was extended by three months.
Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India has begun imposing penalties on contractors for failing to complete works within the stipulated time. A minimum fine of ₹60,000 per day is being levied on contractors in reaches where work remains incomplete after the deadline.
Yasharth Srivastav, deputy manager, NH in Kannur said that while the work is going as per schedule, the local protest in many places is causing unnecessary delays and problems. The issue has been raised with the district administration and support has been sought to complete the whole work at the earliest.
The National Highway 66 development project covers about 644 km from Talapady in Kasaragod district to Mukkola in Thiruvananthapuram district. The project has been divided into 22 reaches for construction. So far, works have been completed in only five reaches while construction continues at various stages in the remaining stretches.
In most reaches, work began around November 2021 and was initially scheduled for completion by April-May 2024. Although an additional three months were later granted, many sections failed to meet the revised deadline.
Authorities said penalties are now being recovered from the bond amounts submitted by contractors. Overall, about 64% of the national highway development work in the State has been completed and steps are being taken to speed up construction.
Published – March 11, 2026 06:05 pm IST
