The collapse of a section of the under-construction NH-66 in Malappuram, Kerala, is more than just an infrastructure failure—it is a glaring symbol of systemic negligence and political impunity. Despite the dramatic nature of the incident, which could have led to serious injuries or loss of life, national media coverage has been remarkably muted. Questions about construction quality, contract transparency, and the role of the National Highways Authority of india (NHAI) remain largely unasked in mainstream discourse. This silence is deafening, especially when considering the billions spent on India’s highway development under the Modi government, often touted as a signature achievement.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, despite being ideologically opposed to the BJP-led central government, has also remained conspicuously cautious in its response. Their reluctance to directly criticize Union minister for Road Transport nitin gadkari or prime minister Narendra Modi raises uncomfortable questions about political complicity or fear of retaliation from the Centre. Meanwhile, the evidence of deeper issues is hard to ignore: reports of similar structural cracks in Kozhikode, Kasaragod, and Thrissur, and the blacklisting of KNR Constructions (the contractor involved), point to a pattern of compromised engineering standards and inadequate oversight. Yet, there is no sign of systemic reform—only perfunctory probes that rarely result in real accountability.
This isn’t just about one highway. It is about a governance culture that values spectacle over substance. The Modi government's obsession with grand inaugurations, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and media optics often masks a worrying disregard for long-term safety, sustainability, and public welfare. Gadkari once hailed as an efficient administrator, now appears complicit in a system where subpar execution is shrugged off as collateral damage. Until citizens and local governments demand transparency and accountability—beyond party lines—India’s infrastructure will continue to suffer under the weight of political vanity and institutional failure. Highways may keep getting built, but trust in those who build them is crumbling just as fast.
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, despite being ideologically opposed to the BJP-led central government, has also remained conspicuously cautious in its response. Their reluctance to directly criticize Union minister for Road Transport nitin gadkari or prime minister Narendra Modi raises uncomfortable questions about political complicity or fear of retaliation from the Centre. Meanwhile, the evidence of deeper issues is hard to ignore: reports of similar structural cracks in Kozhikode, Kasaragod, and Thrissur, and the blacklisting of KNR Constructions (the contractor involved), point to a pattern of compromised engineering standards and inadequate oversight. Yet, there is no sign of systemic reform—only perfunctory probes that rarely result in real accountability.
This isn’t just about one highway. It is about a governance culture that values spectacle over substance. The Modi government's obsession with grand inaugurations, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and media optics often masks a worrying disregard for long-term safety, sustainability, and public welfare. Gadkari once hailed as an efficient administrator, now appears complicit in a system where subpar execution is shrugged off as collateral damage. Until citizens and local governments demand transparency and accountability—beyond party lines—India’s infrastructure will continue to suffer under the weight of political vanity and institutional failure. Highways may keep getting built, but trust in those who build them is crumbling just as fast.
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