Thiruvananthapuram: Public Works Minister PA Mohamed Riyas announced that the newly constructed National Highway 66 (NH 66) in Kerala will be inaugurated by January 2026. He made the announcement following a meeting with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi.

Addressing the media, Riyas said that the discussion with the Union Minister was “very positive.” He added that the construction of NH 66 has been completed along 450 kilometres in Kerala.

“ I have informed the Union Minister about the lapses on the part of some contractors engaged in the work. A few had initially deployed only a small number of workers. However, the number of workers has now tripled compared to the initial phase. The Union Minister has instructed that the pending works be expedited,” said Riyas.

Gadkari will review the progress of the NH 66 works during his visit to Kerala in January.

The Minister noted that certain issues were found in the construction of the Kasaragod–Taliparamba, Azhiyoor–Vengalam, and Vadakara reaches. He said that such problems, arising from lapses on the part of contractors, had led to delays in project completion.

NH 66 had recently made headlines after portions of the newly constructed road collapsed in Malappuram, Kannur, and Kasaragod. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) came under criticism for the unscientific construction, particularly on elevated stretches.

NH 66, which begins at Panvel in Maharashtra, passes through Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Guruvayur, Kochi, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala.