The Kerala High Court on Wednesday ordered a 4-week suspension of toll collection at the Paliyekkara Toll Plaza on National Highway 544, pulling up the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for ignoring persistent public grievances over traffic bottlenecks and poor road conditions.
A Division Bench of Justices A. Muhammed Mustaque and Harisankar V. Menon passed the interim order while hearing a batch of petitions, including a public interest litigation filed by advocates O.J. Janesh and Shaji J. Kodankandath.
“Despite repeated reminders since February, no meaningful steps have been taken by the NHAI to address the issue,” the court observed, directing that toll collection will remain suspended until the Centre, NHAI, State Chief Secretary and the Concessionaire take corrective steps.
Toll Fee Questioned Amid Ongoing Road Work
Petitioners highlighted heavy congestion on the Mannuthy–Edappally stretch, worsened by ongoing underpass construction near the toll gate. They argued that motorists are forced to pay for a road that is barely motorable.
Earlier, the Thrissur District Collector had halted toll collection temporarily, but the order was reversed the next day—a move the petitioners claimed was politically driven and against public interest.
The court reiterated that toll charges are justified only when roads are safe and usable, and any failure to meet that standard must warrant immediate review.
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