Alappuzha: Amid public protests over the death of a driver in the girder collapse during the construction of the Aroor–Thuravoor elevated highway, an expert panel appointed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) inspected the site on Friday. During the inspection, the panel reportedly found serious security lapses by Ashoka Buildcon, the company which took the contract for the construction, as well as shortcomings in NHAI’s oversight. In its report, the panel noted that the work was carried out in violation of the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) safety norms.

Following the findings, NHAI has ordered an immediate and comprehensive safety audit of the Aroor–Thuravoor elevated highway project. As per the order, Rail India Technical and Economic Service (RITES) Limited has been assigned to carry out the audit.

On Thursday, Rajesh, a pickup van driver from Haripad, was killed after a girder fell on his vehicle around 2.30 am at Eramalloor. The incident triggered public protests, with locals alleging that NHAI allowed high-risk work to proceed without closing the road to traffic.

In response, NHAI constituted an expert panel to study the cause of the accident. It is learnt that the panel has identified significant lapses in the execution of the work.

According to NHAI’s order, the safety audit aims to ensure that all construction activities adhere to the highest safety and quality standards. The scope of work assigned to RITES includes a thorough review of the project’s execution. The team will verify that on-site work strictly follows approved construction plans and methods. A key focus will be ensuring compliance with all work-zone safety norms and guidelines prescribed by the Indian Roads Congress (IRC), particularly those meant to protect workers and the public near construction zones.

NHAI stated that, based on the outcome of the Aroor–Thuravoor audit, it may expand safety inspections to other stretches of the NH-66 corridor to ensure uniform standards across major highway projects in the region. Officials said this proactive step reflects NHAI’s commitment to public safety and high-quality infrastructure development.