The Central Government has debarred KNR Constructions and its consultancy partner, Highway Engineering Consultancy (HEC), following the collapse of a section of the national highway at Kooriyad in Kerala. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) initiated the action based on a preliminary inquiry into the incident, according to a statement by Member of Parliament E.T. Muhammed Basheer.
Basheer, who met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari earlier this week, confirmed the debarment. “The ministry has informed that KNR Constructions, the contractor, and HEC, the consultant, have both been debarred. The concerns raised by local residents are valid, and I have conveyed them directly to the minister,” he said in a press release.
He added that the minister sought immediate clarification from officials and assured that strict action would follow. Basheer has also demanded that the affected highway stretch be either repaired or reconstructed under the close supervision of an expert committee. Further, the project’s bond-related bank account will be frozen until a final decision is reached.
KNR Constructions had been awarded the construction contract for the highway section, with HEC engaged as the consultant. Show-cause notices have been served to both firms by the Centre, seeking detailed responses ahead of any potential blacklisting.
A team led by Professor G.V. Rao from IIT Delhi and comprising officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) inspected the damaged site and reviewed project documentation. Their findings will be submitted to MoRTH later this week.
The highway collapse occurred on Monday, with the road caving in and falling onto a parallel service lane. Several people were injured and are currently receiving treatment.
Basheer urged MoRTH not to delay the remaining work along the affected highway stretch and called for inspections in other locations where safety concerns have been raised.
