Tamil Nadu Tourism Minister S. Rajesh Kumar on Sunday (September 6, 2026) visited the site of the devastating road accident at Panampikkunnu in Kaipamangalam in Keralam’s Thissur district, where eight students from Dindigul lost their lives in a crash on National Highway (NH) 66.

Expressing deep grief over the tragedy, the Minister said immediate steps would be taken, in consultation with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, to ensure all necessary assistance for the families of the students.

“This is a tragedy that should never have happened,” he said.

Travel with caution: under-construction NH 66 in Keralam turns into a death trap

The Minister also raised concerns over what he described as unscientific and incomplete highway construction, saying such conditions could contribute to deadly accidents. He called for the remaining road works to be completed at the earliest and for stronger measures to ensure the safety of motorists.

There should be no lapses on the part of the National Highways Authority of India or other agencies responsible for the project, he said, adding that strict measures were needed to prevent such tragedies from recurring.