NHAI approves construction of four pedestrian underpasses on NH 66

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has greenlit plans for four pedestrian underpasses along National Highway 66, with one set for Neendakara Junction. This move comes in response to a Kerala High Court directive urging NHAI to speed up the underpass construction, after years of community efforts for improved pedestrian safety.

BRIC Team

Jun 30, 2026 · 1 min read · 2 views

NHAI approves construction of four pedestrian underpasses on NH 66

Key Takeaways

•The Kerala High Court ordered NHAI to expedite the Neendakara underpass construction on March 24, 2026, marking a win for local residents.
•The Neendakara Footpath Action Council mobilized nearly 3,000 signatures for safer pedestrian access in April 2025.
•NHAI has approved four pedestrian underpasses along National Highway 66, including locations like Neendakara and Oachira.
•An indefinite protest at Neendakara Junction began on June 8, 2025, due to NHAI's inaction on pedestrian safety demands.
•N.K. Premachandran and Sujith Vijayan Pillai supported the community's demands, but initial responses from NHAI were largely ignored.

National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) greenlit four pedestrian underpasses for National Highway 66,after persistent calls from local action councils. These will rise at Neendakara,Parimanam, Kannetty, and Oachira in Kayamkulam Kottukulangara–Kollam Bypass area. All while highway expands to six lanes. New structures to fit right into ongoing work.

Push for safer pedestrian routes gained steam recently,especially at Neendakara Junction. Kerala High Court ordered NHAI to speed up underpass construction there — a win for locals who’ve pushed for safety for years . Back in 2022,residents started raising alarms, yet ran into NHAI's indifference time and again .

Fed up,community launched ‘Neendakara Footpath Action Council’ in April 2025. They got nearly 3,000 signatures on a petition aimed at NHAI,local reps,and Kollam District Collector. Despite backing from figures like Kollam MP N.K. Premachandran and former Chavara MLA Sujith Vijayan Pillai,demands mostly ignored. So council began indefinite protest at Neendakara Junction June 8,2025 .

With tensions rising,Action Council went legal. Filed petition in Kerala High Court,leading to March 24,2026 directive ordering NHAI to finish scientific studies for underpass in four weeks . Post-summer recess,court revisited June 15,2026. NHAI's lawyers assured court,underpass at Neendakara Junction will happen,driven by technical reviews and public clamor. But what next…?

#Kerala