A major safety concern has arisen on National Highway 66 (NH 66) in the Kollam district of Kerala, where a section of an under-construction retaining wall and the adjacent service road collapsed.
The incident occurred between Kottiyam and Mailakkad on the busy highway. The collapse of the retaining wall caused significant damage, leading to large cracks and the partial caving-in of the parallel service road.
School Bus and Vehicles Trapped
The sudden collapse resulted in several vehicles getting trapped, including a school bus carrying children. Local residents and emergency personnel immediately rushed to the scene.
- Rescue Operation: Prompt action ensured the safety of everyone involved. The children and other passengers trapped inside the school bus and other vehicles were rescued immediately, preventing any casualties.
- Road Damage: The retaining wall collapsed onto the service road, and the service road itself developed significant cracks, making it unstable.
Traffic Restriction Imposed
Following the incident, traffic movement on the service road has been completely restricted to prevent further accidents and allow for repair work. The collapse has highlighted concerns regarding the quality and stability of the construction work being carried out on the NH 66 expansion project.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the retaining wall failure and the subsequent damage to the service road. Repair work is expected to commence soon to restore traffic flow.
