SHRC directs NHAI to urgently resurface potholed Aroor-Edappally NH 66 bypass

The direction comes in the wake of potholes and damaged expansion joints of bridges causing accidents and serpentine traffic hold-ups on the busy stretch. File photo The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to urgently resurface the severely potholed portions of the Aroor-Vyttila-Palarivattom NH 66 Bypass, considering the acute traffic snarls caused by potholes along the corridor.The direction by Alexander Thomas, Chairperson of the Commission, comes in the wake of potholes and damaged expansion joints of bridges causing accidents and serpentine traffic hold-ups on the busy stretch.The order follows the Commission registering a suo motu case based on newspaper reports about the plight of the corridor, where potholes abound on the Vyttila railway overbridge (on the Ponnurunni side) and the Kumbalam-Aroor bridge. Likewise, the approach portions of the Panangad-Kumbalam bridge and the Netoor-Kundannur bridge, as well as the road near Madavana, are in a dilapidated condition, according to a communication.The District Collector ought to identify the agency concerned and issue directions, while the engineers concerned must do site inspections and execute resurfacing works. The Collector and the executive engineers concerned must submit action-taken reports by the first week of October, he said.The engineers concerned and a representative of the Collector must appear before the Commission at its sitting at the PWD Rest House, Pathadipalam, on October 23, Mr. Thomas ordered.Commuters, traffic police and NGOs had repeatedly flagged the inordinate delay in executing repair and resurfacing works on the 16-km-long Aroor-Edappally NH 66 bypass, which is considered the busiest NH stretch in Keralam.The SHRC had a week ago directed the PWD (NH wing) to resurface the severely potholed Kundannur-Thevara bridge. Published - August 31, 2026 11:34 pm IST