ULCCS earns ‘Highway Excellence Award’ for outstanding execution of six-lane Thalappady–Chengala NH stretch in Kerala

The Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS) has been honoured with the Government of India’s Highway Excellence Award for its exceptional execution of the six-lane Thalappady–Chengala section of National Highway 66 (NH-66) in Kerala. The recognition underscores ULCCS’s commitment to quality, innovation, and timely delivery in large-scale infrastructure development.

The awarded stretch represents the northernmost section of NH-66, a critical coastal highway linking Kerala to the rest of India. Valued at approximately ₹1,800 crore, the project commenced in December 2021 with a three-year completion timeline. Despite challenges such as monsoon-induced delays and multiple design modifications, ULCCS achieved 99% completion by June 30, 2025, setting new benchmarks for project execution and efficiency.

This section of NH-66 features some of Kerala’s most advanced infrastructure elements. It includes 30 viaducts, 4 major bridges, 4 minor bridges, 9 underpasses, and 3 pedestrian overbridges, along with 35 km of service roads and 78 km of drainage and retaining walls on both sides. Among its highlights is Kerala’s tallest and widest single-pier flyover, measuring 1.12 kilometres in length and 27 metres in width, a true testament to ULCCS’s engineering excellence and precision-driven planning.

The project also integrates 24-hour surveillance and monitoring systems, enhancing road safety and operational reliability along this crucial highway corridor. These advanced measures have significantly raised the standards of construction and safety compliance for highway projects across the country.

According to ULCCS officials, the award reflects the cooperative’s unwavering focus on engineering excellence and community impact. The completion of the Thalappady–Chengala NH-66 stretch is expected to dramatically improve regional connectivity, reduce travel time, and boost economic activities in northern Kerala.

By achieving this milestone, ULCCS has reinforced its position as one of India’s most trusted and efficient infrastructure cooperatives, known for delivering complex national projects with integrity, precision, and innovation.