The vital National Highway-66 widening project in Kozhikode district continues to crawl at a snail’s pace, much to the dismay of residents and commuters. Despite assurances and concrete decisions made at a district-level meeting led by District Collector Snehil Kumar Singh to boost the workforce, these plans have regrettably not translated into action. This lack of implementation is primarily responsible for the sluggish progress, especially along the crucial Vengalam–Azhiyoor stretch.
V. Ratheesh, a concerned member of a local action council in Vadakara, highlights that progress is painfully slow, particularly on the stretches connecting Azhiyoor to Nadapuram Road and Nadapuram Road to Puthuppanam. Original completion goals were slated for December 2025 and March 2026, but officials concede that challenging terrain, an insufficient labor force, and a backlog of embankment and flyover construction could easily extend these deadlines. Ratheesh further notes a disheartening lack of increased worker presence on site, even after construction resumed following the monsoon season’s interruptions.
Members of the local action council also report that several critical tasks, such as essential soil nailing corrections at Kannukkara and Madappally, have yet to commence. The Nadapuram Road–Puthuppanam section bears the brunt of these delays, with four flyovers and extensive embankment work still unfinished. Compounding these issues, the construction of the Madappally underpass hasn’t even started, and a persistent scarcity of soil for filling operations is causing further widespread disruptions.
During a previous review meeting, officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had reiterated their commitment to completing all urgent highway repairs within a strict timeframe, focusing on the most problematic areas. Yet, despite multiple rounds of discussions and on-site evaluations, the severely impacted areas near Vadakara still show no signs of improvement.
T.K. Subhash, another key member of the action committee, squarely blames the inadequate workforce for the project’s overall stagnation. He asserts that a lack of rigorous field inspections means progress isn’t being properly monitored, and necessary adjustments aren’t being made. “With such a minimal workforce,” Subhash states, “the contractors simply won’t be able to meet their deadlines.” He strongly advocates for the district administration to establish a new committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the entire project.
The abysmal state of the road has even driven private bus operators to frustration, leading to spontaneous strikes on the route. They claim that the deteriorating road conditions are a primary cause of frequent mechanical failures in their vehicles. Furthermore, hazardous water-filled potholes, insufficient lighting, and the absence of clear warning signs are compounding the dangers on what is fast becoming an accident-prone stretch.
In response to these concerns, sources within the NHAI affirm that systems for daily monitoring and report submission are already in place. They further indicate that the reported delays in augmenting the workforce will be re-examined closely, taking public grievances into account.