State PWD not responsible for NH construction: Kerala CM on flyover collapse
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Thrissur: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday clarified that the state Public Works Department (PWD) has no role in the construction of national highways, asserting that the responsibility lies solely with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
The statement came after an under-construction flyover on the NH-66 stretch in Kollam district collapsed on Friday, trapping several vehicles, including a school bus, on the service road below. The retaining wall of the flyover caved in at the Kadampattukonam–Kollam section in Kottiyam, damaging the road beneath.
Responding to queries about the incident, Vijayan suggested that some questions appeared aimed at placing blame on the state government. He emphasised that all aspects of national highways—from design to technical evaluation—are handled by the NHAI, which follows its own procedures.
“As per our experience, some lapses are happening within the NHAI system. But we have nothing to do with it,” Vijayan said. “Generally, the NHAI is responsible for everything related to a national highway—from design to construction. Our PWD has nothing to do with it.”
Regarding recent meetings convened by PWD Minister P. A. Mohammed Riyas on national highway works, the CM explained that they were part of efforts to accelerate development initiatives and obtain progress updates, not to interfere in NHAI operations.
Vijayan said he had spoken to the NHAI regional officer four days ago, clarifying, “That does not mean we are interfering in their actions. It is only to get updates on progress. We have no role beyond such meetings in the case of national highways.”
Addressing criticism following recent collapses of under-construction roads, he said it was for the NHAI to decide whether its design is suitable for particular regions. While some NHAI assessments were found to be flawed in certain places, the state had brought them to the agency’s attention.
However, the Chief Minister cautioned against assuming that all national highway projects in Kerala face issues due to a single incident.
With PTI inputs