NHAI debars concessionaire after embankment and RE wall failure on NH-66 in Kerala
NHAI disallowed concessionaire KNR Constructions Ltd and consultant Highway Engineering Consultant from ongoing and future bids after an embankment settlement and RE wall failure on the Ramanattukara–Valanchery section of NH-66 in Kerala, the Road Transport Ministry said on 22 May 2025.
Summary
Settlement of the embankment and failure of a reinforced earth (RE) wall occurred on the Ramanattukara–Valanchery section of NH-66 in Kerala on 19 May 2025, when the project was nearing completion. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said on 22 May 2025 that, prima facie, the incident was due to the concessionaire's negligence in confirming ground conditions. NHAI disallowed concessionaire M/s KNR Constructions Ltd and project consultant M/s Highway Engineering Consultant from participating in ongoing and future bidding, and suspended the concessionaire's project manager and the consultant's team leader. A two-member expert team supervised by a retired IIT-Delhi professor visited the site; remedial work will be at the concessionaire's risk and cost.
Key facts
- Incident
- 19 May 2025, Ramanattukara–Valanchery section, NH-66, Kerala
- Action announced
- 22 May 2025
- Debarred
- Concessionaire KNR Constructions Ltd; consultant Highway Engineering Consultant
- Suspended
- Concessionaire's project manager; consultant's team leader
- Expert review
- Two experts under a retired IIT-Delhi professor
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The embankment settlement and RE wall failure reported on 19 May 2025, after which NHAI debarred the concessionaire, occurred on which section of NH-66 in Kerala?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Ramanattukara–Valanchery
The incident occurred on the Ramanattukara–Valanchery section of NH-66.
Consider the following statements about NHAI's action over the NH-66 incident in Kerala (May 2025): 1. The concessionaire, KNR Constructions Ltd, was disallowed from ongoing and future bidding. 2. The project consultant was let off with a warning. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the consultant, Highway Engineering Consultant, was also disallowed from bidding and its team leader was suspended.