Kerala Minister O.J. Janeesh has formally called upon the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to establish and adhere to a strict, fixed timeline for the completion of pending ancillary works on National Highways 544 and 66. The demand comes amid escalating public frustration over construction delays that have left critical safety and drainage infrastructure unfinished, creating hazardous conditions for commuters and residents across the state.
What Happened
Minister O.J. Janeesh has demanded that the NHAI move beyond open-ended construction schedules and provide a definitive date for the completion of secondary infrastructure associated with the expansion of NH 544 and NH 66. The focus of the Minister’s demand is on “ancillary works”—the essential supporting structures that accompany the main highway carriage-ways.
These works include the construction of service roads, the installation of comprehensive drainage systems, and the creation of safe pedestrian crossings. According to the Minister, the current state of these projects has led to significant public safety risks and persistent waterlogging in areas adjacent to the highways.
To move the process toward a resolution, a joint inspection has been scheduled for August. This inspection will involve state officials and NHAI representatives who will conduct a field assessment to identify specific bottlenecks, evaluate the current status of the works, and determine why these secondary components have lagged behind the primary road construction.
Why It Matters
The completion of ancillary works is not a matter of mere aesthetics or convenience; it is a fundamental requirement for the functional safety and environmental stability of the highway network. When the main carriage-ways are opened to high-speed traffic while service roads and pedestrian crossings remain unfinished, local commuters are often forced to navigate dangerous intersections or merge into high-speed traffic without adequate transition zones.
Furthermore, the issue of waterlogging is particularly critical in the context of Kerala’s geography and climate. The failure to complete drainage systems means that runoff from the highway—which is often elevated or paved with non-permeable materials—is diverted into residential areas or agricultural land. This not only damages local property but can exacerbate the severity of flooding during the monsoon season, turning a transportation project into a public health and safety liability.
By demanding a “fixed timeline,” the Kerala state government is attempting to enforce a higher standard of institutional accountability. In many large-scale infrastructure projects, central agencies are often criticized for prioritizing the “headline” achievement—the opening of the main road—while leaving the “invisible” infrastructure, such as drains and service lanes, in a state of perpetual construction.
Analysis: The Infrastructure Accountability Gap
The friction between the Kerala state administration and the NHAI highlights a recurring systemic tension in Indian infrastructure development: the gap between arterial completion and holistic integration.
There is a clear incentive for central agencies like the NHAI to prioritize the main carriage-way, as these milestones are more visible to political leadership and the public, and are often tied to specific funding tranches or performance metrics. However, this prioritization creates a “last-mile” failure where the primary road is functional, but the surrounding ecosystem is broken.
The emphasis on waterlogging suggests that the NHAI’s planning may have failed to adequately account for the local hydrological impact of the highway expansions. In a state like Kerala, where the terrain is prone to heavy rainfall and complex water tables, an incomplete drainage system is not a minor delay—it is a systemic failure that increases flood risks for thousands of citizens.
By shifting the discourse toward a “fixed timeline,” Minister Janeesh is attempting to move the NHAI from a posture of “ongoing work” to one of “contractual obligation.” This approach seeks to eliminate the ambiguity that often allows central agencies to avoid penalties or public scrutiny for delays that persist for years.
Background and Context
National Highways 544 and 66 are two of the most critical transit arteries in South India. NH 66, in particular, is undergoing a massive transformation into a four-lane or six-lane highway to improve connectivity along the western coast. While the expansion is intended to reduce travel time and boost economic activity, the execution has been marred by land acquisition disputes and delays in executing the supporting infrastructure.
In many sections of these highways, the main roads have been paved and opened to traffic, but the service roads—which are meant to handle local traffic and prevent slow-moving vehicles from entering the main highway—remain incomplete. This creates a dangerous environment where local residents, including pedestrians and two-wheeler riders, must compete with high-speed long-distance transport.
Historically, the relationship between state governments and the NHAI has been strained over the “handover” process. State governments often find themselves managing the fallout of incomplete central projects, including repairing damaged local roads that were destroyed during highway construction but never properly restored as part of the ancillary works.
What to Watch Next
The upcoming joint inspection in August will be the primary indicator of whether this demand will lead to actual progress or remain a rhetorical exercise. Observers should look for the following outcomes:
1. The Publication of a Public Timeline: Whether the NHAI provides a transparent, date-specific schedule for each pending section of NH 544 and NH 66, or continues to use vague terms like “in progress.”
2. Budgetary Allocations for Drainage: Whether the inspection reveals a need for additional funding or a redesign of drainage systems to prevent the aforementioned waterlogging.
3. Contractor Accountability: Whether the NHAI takes punitive action against the private contractors responsible for the delays in ancillary works.
4. State-Central Coordination: Whether the Kerala government implements a more rigorous monitoring mechanism to ensure that main carriage-ways are not opened until a minimum threshold of ancillary safety works is met.
Conclusion
The demand by Minister O.J. Janeesh underscores a critical reality of modern infrastructure: a highway is only as successful as its least functional component. While the expansion of NH 544 and NH 66 promises long-term economic benefits, the current neglect of ancillary works has created immediate risks for the people of Kerala. The transition from “ongoing” to “completed” requires more than just asphalt on the main road; it requires a commitment to the safety and environmental integrity of the communities the highway passes through.
Sources:
The Hindu – National: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-minister-oj-janeesh-urges-nhai-to-finish-nh-544-nh-66-ancillary-works-within-fixed-timeline/article71275925.ece
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
