Palakkad: The service road at Chunnambuthara that opens to the Pattikkara bypass has begun crumbling and caving in across several sections.

Taking a serious note of the situation, District Collector M S Madhavikutty has issued an order for immediate repairs. The road comes under the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), while its repair work is being carried out by the National Highway wing of the Public Works Department on behalf of NHAI.

Preliminary estimates suggest that at least ₹35 lakh will be needed to reconstruct the damaged stretch. A detailed estimate will soon be submitted to NHAI. With the district administration’s intervention, NHAI is expected to grant sanction for the project soon. Decisions, including those on recovering the construction cost, will be taken later.

Caving in of service road sparks concern
The caving in of the service road beside the railway overbridge at Chunnambuthara has sparked serious concern. Officials warn that if urgent action is not taken, the damage could extend dangerously close to the bridge structure. The railway overbridge at Chunnambuthara lies on the Palakkad–Kozhikode National Highway, and the service road serves as a key entry point to Chunnambuthara from the Pattikkara bypass. Continuous rains in the region have further worsened the damage.

It is widely suspected that the unscientific excavation of a side of the service road for laying pipes and cables triggered the current caving in. Authorities concerned have acted only after intervention by the District Collector, who has now directed immediate remedial action.