Several sections of embankments on National Highway 66 in Kerala, which is under widening, have collapsed. Adding to the woes, a pillar of the Kottappuram-Muthakunnam bridge on the same highway sunk due to suspected faulty piling. Experts say these issues show the urgent need to follow Indian Roads Congress (IRC) norms strictly. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started fixing the damaged embankments and cracks on the highway and service roads. Meanwhile, the firm responsible for the bridge work has hired a specialist to recommend repair measures for the affected bridge pillar. Officials say the specialist report should come in a week, after which NHAI engineers will inspect the site. "This would be followed by load-bearing and other tests to assess the condition of the bridge," they added. Yacub Mohan George, former Deputy Chief Engineer of PWD, warned that such defects could increase project costs and lead to higher toll rates. He blamed faulty soil investigations and weak geotechnical checks. "The NHAI must supervise the work closely and ensure quality construction," he said. Mr. George stressed the need for load testing on newly built bridges and called for strict IRC compliance, third-party inspections, and frequent bridge checks using drones and underwater videography. Ebenser Chullikat of Greater Cochin Development Watch urged quick action. He pointed out previous cracks at an embankment in Varapuzha and recommended viaducts in weak zones. "NHAI must ensure load-bearing capacity when red soil mixes with river sand in embankments," he added. The uncertainty over completing the NH 66 widening project on time is growing due to these problems.