NH-66 Widening: Kozhikode Committees Urge Review of Service Road Impact

Fast Summary

• Local action committees in Kozhikode district have called for a re-evaluation of service roads along NH-66, which is under widening.
• Concerns were raised that a recent field inspection by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials on July 28 failed to address public grievances fully.
• Committee leaders criticized the lack of prior communication from NHAI about the inspection and the absence of direct engagement with local representatives during the visit.
• A committee coordinator stated that only involving contractors and engineers is insufficient to address public concerns effectively.
• Officials reportedly inspected the Azhiyur-Vengalam stretch late at night,but without attention to major road safety issues flagged by users in other areas.
• Rasheed Vattayil, truck operator and committee member, emphasized the need for an honest review and a time-bound plan due to deteriorating road conditions impacting safety on several stretches like Kozhikode-Kannur.
• Local body members pointed out that it was pressure from Kozhikode district’s representatives directly engaging Union Ministers that led NHAI to begin inspections.
• NHAI clarified this as only a preliminary evaluation; further actions will follow after final reports from ongoing inspections are completed.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The concerns raised by local residents underscore broader challenges tied to infrastructure development projects in India: balancing efficient execution while maintaining transparency and consistent stakeholder engagement. The absence of meaningful consultations between officials, contractors, and affected communities risks fostering mistrust among citizens-a key takeaway here given accusations against NHAI’s process.

Road projects often disrupt daily life significantly; hence timely communication with stakeholders becomes essential-not just as protocol but as a measure ensuring success through collective cooperation toward safer infrastructures like NH-66.

Linking these challenges back home policies/actions needed streamline various chains labor/procedural round puisse compounding!!