The NH-66 six-lane upgrade through Kerala has been one of the longest, most frustrating, and most transformative infrastructure projects in the state’s history. As of June 2026, here is an honest assessment of where each section stands.
North Kerala (Kasaragod to Kozhikode): A 40.4 km section between Kasaragod and Kannur is under construction at a cost of Rs 4,609 crore, targeting completion by March 2027. Several other northern sections are largely complete, and travel times between Kasaragod and Kozhikode have already dropped significantly.
Central Kerala (Kozhikode to Kochi): Bypasses and viaducts in the Malappuram and Thrissur stretches are in final stages. The Kottakkal and Valanchery bypasses are approaching completion. This section has been plagued by quality concerns, with partial collapses on newly built elevated portions in Malappuram prompting stricter NHAI oversight.
Kochi to Alappuzha: The headline project here is the 31.25 km Kollam-Ayathil-Thiruvalla bypass, a six-lane structure with an investment of over Rs 3,900 crore, scheduled for completion by June 2026. The Aroor-Thuravoor elevated highway, India’s longest six-lane flyover at 12.75 km, is still under active construction.
South Kerala: The Thiruvananthapuram sections and connections to the Tamil Nadu border were completed earlier and are mostly four-lane.
When the full corridor is operational, the impact on Kerala’s economy, tourism, and daily life will be enormous. The drive from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram, which once took 12-14 hours, will drop to 7-8 hours. For NRIs visiting family across districts, this single project changes everything about how Kerala feels as a connected state.