The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has barred Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) from participating in any new tenders for one year. The decision follows the company’s failure to properly complete slope protection and drainage works in Kerala.
Incident at NH-66 Project Site
The issue arose from a collapse of slope protection works on June 16, 2025, along the Chengala–Neeleshwaram section of National Highway 66 in Kasaragod district. NHAI stated that the collapse happened due to poor design, weak slope protection, and inadequate drainage.
Show Cause Notice and Penalty
In addition to the debarment, NHAI has issued a show cause notice to MEIL and may impose a monetary penalty of up to ₹9 crore. The company was responsible for widening a 77-kilometre stretch from Chengala to Thaliparamba under the NH-66 project.
Project Under HAM Model
The project operates under the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), meaning MEIL is also responsible for maintaining the highway stretch for 15 years. As part of this, MEIL must now reconstruct the failed slope protection work at its own expense.
Expert Committee Appointed
An expert committee has been assigned to review the failure and recommend corrective steps for the project to prevent similar incidents in the future.
