NH 66 Safety Issues Put Lives at Risk in Kozhikode

National Highway 66 (NH 66) is undergoing massive development in Kozhikode. While the expansion of the highway is good news for future travel, the current state of construction has become a nightmare for daily commuters. Safety violations by the building contractors are putting thousands of lives at risk every single day. Local residents and drivers are voicing their deep concerns over the lack of safety measures on the road.

The main issue is the complete disregard for basic safety rules during road work. Huge pits are left wide open without any barricades or warning signs. At night, the danger multiplies because there are no streetlights or reflective markers to guide drivers. Many drivers, especially those who do not know the local roads well, find themselves falling into traps. This has led to many minor and major accidents over the past few weeks.

Why Are the Roads So Dangerous Right Now?

The expansion of NH 66 in Kozhikode involves heavy machinery, deep digging, and constant moving of soil. While these activities are normal for highway construction, the way they are being managed is not. The contractors have not set up proper service roads for local traffic. As a result, heavy trucks and two-wheelers are forced to share the same narrow, muddy paths.

During the rainy season, these paths turn into slippery mud tracks. During dry days, the air is filled with thick dust that reduces visibility to almost zero. Drivers cannot see the vehicles in front of them, which often leads to rear-end collisions. Pedestrians have it even worse, as there are no designated walking paths or safe spots to cross the busy highway.

No Warning Signs and Poor Lighting

A major rule of road construction is the use of clear warning signs. Drivers need to know at least 100 meters in advance if there is a diversion or a sudden narrow lane. However, on NH 66 in Kozhikode, such signs are rare. Many times, the signs are put up too close to the actual work site, leaving drivers with no time to slow down safely.

At night, the situation becomes much worse. The temporary barricades used are often black or dark blue, making them invisible in the dark. Without glowing paint or solar-powered warning lights, these barriers themselves become hazards. Many motorcycle riders have crashed directly into these dark barriers because they simply could not see them in time.

How Citizen Feedback and Better Governance Can Help

To fix these issues, there needs to be a strong way for people to report dangers. In other parts of the country, governments are using technology to listen to the public. For instance, the Eluru Collector urges citizens to share PGRS feedback via QR codes to make sure that local problems are solved quickly. A similar system in Kozhikode could help people report dangerous road spots directly to the authorities.

Local governance must take charge of these safety issues immediately. While administrative changes happen across the country, such as when Dinesh Sharma was appointed Andaman Nicobar Lieutenant Governor, local authorities in Kerala must remain focused on their immediate responsibilities. The local administration and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) cannot ignore the safety of the people they serve.

There’s more to life than simply increasing its speed.

By Udaipur Freelancer

The Hard Impact on Daily Commuters

School children, office workers, and emergency vehicles are the worst affected by the chaos on NH 66. Ambulances carrying critical patients often get stuck in long traffic jams caused by sudden road blocks. Since there are no traffic wardens to guide the vehicles, the jams can last for hours. Parents are constantly worried about the safety of their children who must cross these dangerous zones to reach school.

Local shops along the highway have also suffered. With no proper parking or safe access roads, customers are avoiding these areas entirely. Business owners are losing their livelihoods while dealing with constant dust and noise pollution. They have joined hands with residents to protest against the current state of work, demanding immediate action from the contractors.

Steps to Resolve the Crisis

Fixing this crisis does not require stopping the road work. Instead, it requires enforcing the safety rules that are already in place. First, the NHAI must inspect the site regularly and fine contractors who violate safety rules. High-quality barricades with bright lights must be installed at every work zone. Traffic wardens should be posted at busy junctions to help guide the vehicles safely.

Second, water must be sprayed regularly on the dusty roads to keep the air clean and maintain good visibility. Service roads should be paved properly so that local traffic does not have to mix with heavy construction machinery. Only when these basic steps are taken can we ensure that the development of NH 66 does not come at the cost of human lives.

In conclusion, development should bring comfort, not danger. The people of Kozhikode deserve safe roads even while progress is being made. It is high time for the authorities to step up, listen to the public, and make safety their top priority on NH 66.