On May 19, 2025, a section of National Highway 66 in Kooriyad, Kerala, collapsed during ongoing construction, injuring seven people and damaging multiple vehicles. The collapse occurred when a retaining wall, weakened by heavy rains and suspected poor engineering, gave way and tumbled onto a service road.
Local residents had reportedly warned construction authorities about visible cracks and instability days before the incident, but no preventive action was taken. As a result, public anger boiled over into protests, demanding justice and immediate infrastructure audits. The Kerala government quickly suspended the contractor and launched an investigation into project oversight and quality assurance.
Experts attributed the collapse to a combination of environmental stressors and inadequate soil testing. With Kerala’s terrain prone to landslides and erosion, such construction projects require careful geological studies and real-time structural monitoring. Unfortunately, these essential precautions were allegedly ignored.
This incident has prompted nationwide concern regarding the integrity of India’s rapidly expanding infrastructure network. Moving forward, stricter regulations, third-party safety audits, and greater transparency in public works are necessary to ensure the safety of citizens.