Local action committees, political parties and residents’ forums have sought the immediate intervention of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to conduct a scientific quality check on the works already executed as part of the six-laning of the national highway (NH) stretch between Kozhikode and Mahe. The demand follows a series of recent incidents that have put the quality and safety of the ongoing construction under serious public scrutiny.
Fresh concerns were triggered after a retaining wall under construction on the Kozhikode-Vadakara stretch of the NH recently developed cracks. The wall reportedly split and gave way suddenly, raising fears among local residents that further collapse could pose a grave threat to vehicles using the service road. Local body representatives have brought the matter to the attention of the district administration demanding urgent repairs and enhanced safety measures.
Around the same time, another accident was reported on the Koyilandy stretch of the NH, a section subcontracted by the Adani group to the Wagad Infra Projects. Some of the local residents alleged “poor workmanship and substandard construction practices” on the stretch.
In the wake of the two incidents, the local residents along with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and Congress activists staged protests accusing contractors of compromising construction quality and public safety. Protesters sought independent technical inspections, immediate rectification of defects and accountability from both the main and sub-contractors before further work is allowed to proceed.
