National Highway Authority Inspects Elevated Road Safety After Collapse in Kollam A team of experts has been dispatched to Kollam to assess the safety of elevated roads on National Highway 66 following a recent collapse incident. Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, informed the Lok Sabha that an expert team was sent to the region to evaluate the risks associated with the elevated structures. The inspection follows the collapse of a mud-built elevated road segment in Kollam, which raised concerns about the structural integrity of similar constructions along the highway. The National Highway Authority (NHA) has initiated a comprehensive review of elevated road designs to prevent future incidents. The collapse of the mud-built structure in Kollam prompted the authority to prioritize safety assessments, particularly for similar constructions along National Highway 66. The expert team, comprising technical agencies and specialists from institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), is conducting a detailed analysis of the soil composition, structural stability, and potential risks. The inspection includes evaluating the feasibility of replacing mud-built elevated roads with structures supported by pillars, which are considered more resilient. The team has recommended specific modifications, such as extending the length of elevated roads on pillars in key locations like Mavelikkara, Kadamkulam, and Kottiyam. For instance, the team suggested extending the elevated road in Mavelikkara to 120 meters, while in Kadamkulam, the structure should span 440 meters. Additionally, the team proposed extending the elevated road in Kottiyam to 160 meters by constructing pillars on both sides.#nitin_gadkari #kollam #national_highway_authority #national_highway_66 #mud_built_elevated_road
