Malappuram: In a troubling revelation, five distinct cracks have emerged along the under-construction National Highway stretch across Kerala, raising serious concerns about construction quality and oversight. The fractures were discovered in various locations including Edarikode, Mammalipadi, Cherusala, Kuriad, and Thalappara in Malappuram, and in Kanhangad and Mavungal in Kasaragod district.

One of the most alarming damages was reported atop the flyover in the Manathala region, where a fissure over 50 meters long has developed despite ongoing work. These cracks have drawn intense scrutiny from both the public and political quarters.

Responding to the issue, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has assured strict measures. Following a meeting with MP E.T. Muhammed Basheer, the minister announced that the contractor responsible for the construction, KN Reddy, will be blacklisted. Gadkari has also directed that a committee of IIT experts investigate the matter to determine the causes and culpability.

"The state government cannot wash its hands of this," MP Basheer said, highlighting that accountability must also lie with local oversight authorities.

Meanwhile, tensions escalated on the ground as enraged Youth Congress workers stormed and vandalized the contractor’s office in Malappuram. Protesters accused the construction firm of gross negligence and condemned what they described as “unscientific and reckless construction practices.”

As public trust erodes and infrastructure safety is called into question, all eyes are now on the central and state governments to ensure transparency, justice, and structural integrity.