Kollam: The Central government has taken action against Shivalaya Construction Ltd, the contractor firm responsible for the under-construction flyover on National Highway 66 at Mylakkadu near Kottiyam, after a portion of the structure collapsed on Friday. The collapse of the flyover’s sidewall created large craters on the service road and trapped vehicles, triggering a political storm amid the local body polls.

Responding swiftly, the Centre issued a show-cause notice to the company and imposed a one-month ban preventing it from participating in any ongoing or future tenders.

According to reports, further action will depend on Shivalaya’s response to the notice. If the explanation is found unsatisfactory, the firm may face a three-year ban. The Centre is also reportedly considering permanently blacklisting the company.

The action follows findings by an expert panel of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which concluded that the collapse occurred due to a weak foundation. According to the findings of the preliminary investigation, the foundation was weak and unable to withstand the pressure after the land was raised by 9.4 meters.

NHAI has removed project director Jimmy Thomas of IIT Kanpur and resident engineer Sudheesh P K of IIT Palakkad from their posts.

A detailed inquiry report from NHAI’s expert panel will be submitted to the Centre soon.

Several NHAI projects in Kerala have come under criticism following repeated mishaps attributed to poor construction quality. In Alappuzha, a driver was killed on November 13 when a girder of the under-construction Thuravoor–Aroor elevated highway flyover fell onto his vehicle. Following that incident, NHAI temporarily blacklisted Maharashtra-based Ashoka Buildcon, the contractor for that project.