The expansion work on the National Highway is advancing consistently throughout the state, with four segments of NH 66 scheduled to be inaugurated on May 31. As per sources from the NHAI, the final phase of construction is currently underway for these segments, including the Thalappady–Chengala (39 km) section.
The installation of signboards has commenced, and in accordance with new regulations, these signboards will be presented in three languages: Malayalam, English, and Hindi. However, the median on the highway measures only half a meter in width, which poses challenges for the installation of these boards.
Signboards indicating curves, speed limits, and other important information must be positioned at a height of 5.5 meters to avoid being struck by vehicles. There are concerns regarding the visibility of such elevated signal boards for drivers. This issue has arisen due to the reduction of the original 60-meter-wide six-lane highway to a width of 45 meters, where medians could typically range from 3 to 4 meters in width.
From Thalappady in Kasaragod to Mukkola in Thiruvananthapuram, National Highway 66 spans 644 kilometres and is divided into 22 stretches. Of these, 17 stretches are yet to be completed. The land acquired measures 45 metres in width. The six-lane road itself is 27 metres wide, with two service roads on either side, each 6.75 metres wide—making a total of 13.5 metres. Additionally, there are two-metre-wide footpaths (utility corridors with walkways), and beyond them, crash guards are installed.
Stretches ready for inauguration:
Thalappady–Chengala (39 km)
Vengalam–Ramanattukara (Kozhikode bypass – 28.4 km)
Ramanattukara–Valanchery (39.68 km)
Valanchery–Kappirikkad (37.35 km)
