Kerala’s 645-km NH-66 Stretch to Be Ready by May 2028

The 645-km Kerala stretch of National Highway 66 (NH-66) is expected to be completed by May 2028, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told the Lok Sabha. Gadkari gave the update while responding to questions from MPs Shafi Parambil and K C Venugopal.

The six-lane highway will connect Thalapady on the Karnataka border to Karode on the Tamil Nadu border. The main road construction is scheduled to be completed by April 30, 2027, while the elevated highway sections will take another year to complete.

85% Work Complete on Seven Key Stretches

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already inaugurated the Thalapady–Chengala and Vengalam–Ramanattukara sections of the highway. Work on seven other major stretches is around 85% complete, according to the update. Once completed, the six-lane NH-66 will provide a major road link across Kerala and connect the state’s northern and southern borders.

Material Shortage and Monsoon Delay Work

According to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the project has faced delays due to a shortage of quarry stone and soil in Kerala. The movement of granite has also been affected by new cross-border transit restrictions imposed by Tamil Nadu, adding to the supply problems.

Monsoon rains and a continued shortage of workers have further slowed construction. A large number of migrant workers from West Bengal had returned home before the state’s March elections. 

Many of them have not yet returned to work, adding to the labour shortage. Despite these challenges, the government has set May 2028 as the target for completing the full 645-km Kerala stretch of NH-66.