Despite NH 66 being incomplete and flawed, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari promises completion by December 2022

Four-laning of NH 66 between Kundapur and Goa border was to be completed in 2017; people term Union Minister’s statement an ‘excuse for toll collection’

Incomplete stretches in important towns, collection of an average ₹100 each at three toll plazas, landslip-prone hill cuttings at many places and an incomplete flyover in Karwar town... And yet, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has claimed that 173 km out of 187 km (92%) of National Highway 66, which is being widened to four lanes between Kundapur and Goa border, will be completed by December 2022.

In a series of tweets on July 2, Mr. Gadkari said the four-lane project was nearing completion. “Aimed at providing a world-class road infrastructure experience to travellers, the alignment connects major cities & towns, including Panvel, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Panaji, Margao, Karwar, Udupi, Surathkal, Mangalore, Kozhikode, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram & Kanyakumari.”

The contract was awarded to IRB Westcoast Tollway Pvt. Ltd. in August 2012 on build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) basis. The four-lane project, being executed by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), was supposed to be completed in 991 days.

Many took to Twitter to respond to Mr. Gadkari.

Neelesh Pai said Kumta, Honnavar and Bhatkal were not touched at all. Vilas Hebbar pointed out that while the road quality is pathetic, toll is collected at Shirur (₹90), Holegadde (₹95) and Belekeri (₹100).

Vineeth Shetty remarked: ‘Eight years and still incomplete’.

Ganesh Bhat, a Bhatkal resident, said a 10-km stretch of the four-lane highway between Kundapur and Trasi offers a ‘roller-coaster experience’ owing to uneven road surface.