Joint inspection signals safety concerns on national highways in Keralam’s Thrissur

Accident site at Kaipamangalam in Thrissur on September 5, 2026. | Photo credit: PTI

A joint safety inspection on National Highway 66 and 544 in Thrissur district has revealed several lapses, prompting District Collector Shikha Surendran to direct the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other concerned departments to take urgent corrective measures.

The inspection was ordered at the District Safety Highway Task Force meeting held at the Collectorate on September 5 following the horrific tragedy at Kaipamangalam that claimed the lives of eight engineering students. The Collector has constituted a team comprising representatives of Motor Vehicles Department, Police, Local Government Department and NHAI to conduct a comprehensive safety inspection of all sections of NH 66 and NH 544 passing through the district.

Deficiencies marked

The team conducted field inspections and submitted a report that noted deficiencies on NH 66 including inappropriate direction signs, non-clearance of construction debris, lack of warning and reflective boards, unauthorized parking, inadequate patrolling and gaps in protective walls equipped with reflectors.

Similar deficiencies were reported on NH 544 as well.

Based on the findings, the Collector directed the NHAI and the departments concerned to take immediate steps to rectify the deficiencies reported. Instructions were also issued to complete construction of bus bays and remove encroachments.

The authorities had earlier in May and June issued directions to the NHAI to address several deficiencies found in the last inspection.

Published – 10 Sep 2026 20:16 IST