ULCCS completes 39 km NH-66 stretch ahead of schedule

The Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) has finished the 39-kilometer Thalappadi-Chengala segment of NH-66, which includes South India’s first single-pillar flyover and represents a significant milestone for Kerala.

The Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS), Asia’s largest labour cooperative, is finishing the first 39-kilometre length of National Highway 66 between Thalappadi and Chengala, considerably ahead of the state’s remaining 21 stretches.  Shri P.A. Muhammed Riyas, Kerala’s Minister for Public Works and Tourism, led an official site visit alongside key government officials and project stakeholders to commemorate this significant milestone in the state’s infrastructure development.

The recently finished stretch is an important part of the NH-66 extension and includes considerable infrastructure modifications such as two flyovers, four major bridges, four minor bridges, 21 underpasses, 10 foot overbridges, and two overpasses.  The project’s centrepiece is South India’s first single-pillar flyover, which was built utilising the advanced box girder technology.  The Kasaragod city flyover, which spans 1.12 km and measures 27 metres wide, is Kerala’s largest and a shining example of regional engineering prowess.  A second 210-metre-long flyover has also been built at Uppala, along with important bridges across the Mogral, Kumbala, Shiriya, and Uppala rivers to improve regional connectivity.

“The completion of this stretch marks a proud moment for Kerala,” says Shri P.A. Muhammed Riyas, Kerala’s Minister for Public Works and Tourism. “With South India’s first single-pillar flyover and world-class road infrastructure, this project reflects our state’s commitment to modern, inclusive development. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and in close coordination with the central government, we are unlocking growth and connectivity in Kasaragod and beyond.”

Shri V.N. Vasavan, Minister for Cooperation and Registration, shares, “This is a moment of immense pride for Kerala, our cooperative sector, and the hard-working people of the state. The Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society, a unique cooperative of workers, is the only Kerala-based entity entrusted with constructing the six-lane national highway. While other stretches have been awarded to major national contractors, ULCCS has set a benchmark by being the first to complete and open its section for public use. Kerala stands proud of this remarkable achievement.”

ULCCS’s successful completion of this stretch has been extensively praised for its engineering precision, environmental sensitivity, and minimal impact on communities. The project, which was awarded through a competitive worldwide bidding procedure, illustrates the cooperative enterprise’s ability to provide high-impact infrastructure on a large scale.

“This is more than a road—it’s a symbol of what collective vision and technical innovation can achieve,” said ULCCS Chairman Rameshan Paleri. “This project sets a new standard for sustainable, community-focused development. From the single-pillar bridge to integrated public amenities, every element has been designed to serve both function and people.”

The Thalappadi-Chengala segment is projected to drastically reduce travel time, alleviate traffic congestion, and boost socioeconomic improvement in Kasaragod, a region that has historically been underserved by national infrastructure programs.  The deliberately designed public spaces beneath the flyover are intended to support local business and provide a better experience for commuters and residents.

ULCCS Directors P. Prakashan, K.T. Rajan, P.K. Sreejith, and Project Manager M. Narayanan welcomed the minister, MLAs M. Rajagopalan and C.H. Kunjambu, NHAI Deputy Manager Jaspreet, Team Leader S.K. Sinha, and other dignitaries.

For more information, visit: https://ulccsltd.com/home