KOLLAM, KERALA – December 6, 2025 — A section of the under-construction National Highway (NH-66) at Mylakkadu near Kottiyam in Kollam district collapsed on Friday evening, creating deep craters and trapping several vehicles, including a school bus carrying approximately two dozen students.

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The incident occurred around 4:00 PM along the Mevara–Kadampattukonam stretch of the highway widening project, causing a major scare but resulting in no injuries due to the swift action of the bus staff and local residents.

School Children Narrowly Escape Tragedy

The collapse involved the retaining wall and embankment of an elevated highway portion, which caved in and damaged the adjacent service road—the stretch being used by normal traffic.

• Evacuation: The school bus, belonging to Kings School, Kottiyam, was the last of four vehicles caught as the road surface abruptly broke away. Witnesses reported that the bus driver and attendant quickly evacuated the 24 students onboard, moving them to a safe area before the vehicle could sink further.

• Response: District Collector N. Devidas and senior officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) immediately rushed to the site to assess the damage. Traffic on the busy Kollam-Thiruvananthapuram route was immediately diverted, leading to severe congestion.

Investigation Ordered Amid Construction Quality Concerns

The incident has triggered fresh concerns over the safety and quality of the ongoing NH-66 construction across Kerala, which has seen several similar collapses in recent months.

• Cause: Initial assessments by NHAI officials suggest the collapse was due to an embankment failure, possibly compounded by the geological nature of the site, which is near a former paddy field, and potential pressure build-up in the soil.

• Political Reaction: Kerala Public Works Minister P. A. Muhammad Riyas ordered an immediate, high-level inquiry into the collapse and directed the PWD Secretary to seek a detailed explanation from NHAI officials.

• Contractor Scrutiny: Local residents have raised strong allegations against the contractor, Shivalaya Constructions, claiming repeated complaints about unscientific construction methods in the waterlogged area were ignored by authorities.

• Opposition Allegations: Congress MP K. C. Venugopal strongly criticized the NHAI, alleging “poor quality construction due to corruption” and warning that the ongoing projects are “inviting disaster.”

Restoration and stabilization work has commenced on the affected stretch, though officials anticipate traffic disruptions will continue for several days. The investigation report is expected to mandate stricter geotechnical assessment for the remaining vulnerable sections of the highway project.