Suratkal – Urgent maintenance has commenced on the Suratkal–Nanthur stretch of National Highway 66 after relentless rains left the road riddled with potholes.
Although official repairs were slated for August 7–13, contractors began work late Wednesday night. According to NHIA Project Director Abdul Javed Ajji, daily operations will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to avoid peak-hour congestion, with additional tasks carried out overnight.
Work kicked off at Kulur, where potholes on the old bridge were sealed at night. The following morning, crews repaired the newer bridge, making both spans and the link road temporarily pothole-free.
Currently, the focus is on patching and sealing damaged sections rather than full resurfacing. The larger ₹28.30-crore project to strip and relay asphalt from Mukka to Nanthur began in May but halted when monsoon showers arrived, just after completing the Mukka–Hosabettu segment. Full-scale asphalting is expected to resume in September or October.
Ongoing efforts include filling potholes, patch repairs, and drain cleaning. Temporary route diversions and occasional traffic snarls are likely until work concludes. Motorists may experience delays, especially during active repair hours.
To ensure durability during wet weather, crews are using cold-press technology, which allows the work to withstand rain. Authorities plan to accelerate operations on weekends, when traffic volumes are lighter, to complete as much as possible before the next major resurfacing phase.