The National Highways Authority of India is facing criticism for poor service-road conditions and shoddy carriageway quality on the NH 66 bypass [1].
The deteriorating infrastructure has led to significant traffic congestion and safety concerns for commuters in Kerala. These failures suggest a lapse in construction oversight on a critical transit artery.
The issues are concentrated on the Edappally-Aroor stretch, particularly the segment between the Edappally overbridge, Edappally Junction, and Palarivattom [1, 2]. Construction on this specific segment has been ongoing for over a year [1].
Critics said low-quality construction of service roads is a primary driver of the current chaos [1, 2]. The situation was further complicated by the improper placement of bus stops along the route, which hindered the flow of vehicles and increased the risk of accidents [2].
In response to the mounting pressure, the NHAI has initiated the removal of these improperly placed bus stops [2]. The affected bypass stretch covers 17 kilometres [2].
Local commuters and officials said the shoddy work on the carriageway has turned the bypass into a bottleneck rather than a solution for regional traffic [1]. The ongoing nature of the construction has left the area in a state of flux, contributing to the instability of the road surfaces [1].
“The National Highways Authority of India is facing criticism for poor service-road conditions.”
The friction between NHAI's infrastructure rollout and local traffic needs highlights a systemic failure in urban planning and quality control. When critical bypasses are constructed with substandard service roads and poorly placed transit stops, the resulting congestion often offsets the intended benefits of the highway expansion, leading to prolonged public frustration and increased safety risks.
