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

The direction comes as a result of potholes and damaged bridge expansion joints causing accidents and snaking traffic delays on the busy stretch. Photo file

The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to urgently restore the heavily potholed sections of the Aroor-Vyttila-Palarivattom bypass of NH 66 in view of the acute traffic snarl caused by potholes along the corridor.

The directive by Alexander Thomas, chairman of the Commission, comes as a result of potholes and damaged expansion joints of the bridges causing accidents and delaying movement on the busy stretch.

The order comes after the Commission registered a suo motu case on the basis of news reports on the dire situation of the corridor where there are many potholes on the Vyttila rail flyover (on the Ponnurunni side) and the Kumbalam-Aroor bridge. Similarly, the approach sections of the Panangad-Kumbalam bridge and the Netoor-Kundannur bridge as well as the road at Madavana are in a state of disrepair, according to the release.

The District Collector should identify the concerned agency and issue instructions while the concerned engineers have to carry out spot inspections and carry out renovation work. The collector and the concerned executive engineers have to submit the action taken reports by the first week of October, he said.

The concerned engineers and the Deputy Collector must appear before the Commission at its meeting at Rest House OWD, Pathadipalam, on October 23, Mr. Thomas ordered.

Commuters, traffic police and NGOs have repeatedly raised the issue of inordinate delays in carrying out repairs and resurfacing on the 16-km Aroor-Edappally bypass of NH 66, which is considered the busiest stretch of the NH in Kerala.

A week ago, the SHRC directed the PWD (NH wing) to resurface the heavily potholed Kundannur-Thevara bridge.

Published – 31 Aug 2026 23:34 IST