Highway Traffic Disrupted as Underpass Work Progresses: NHAI

Speedy Summary

• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) informed the Kerala High Court about traffic congestion at certain locations in the Edappally-Mannuthy NH 544 corridor due to ongoing work on underpasses at five spots.
• NHAI mentioned that a temporary closure of the corridor might be necessary if deemed unsafe by Thrissur’s Collector, even though the Public Works Department has not categorized the corridor as unsafe.
• Congress leader Shaji Kodakandath filed petitions demanding an end to toll collection in this corridor, arguing expenses for widening had already been recovered by NHAI and its toll contractor.
• The Kerala High Court scheduled further hearings for July 9.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The ongoing maintenance works on underpasses along NH 544 underscore challenges with infrastructure upgrades frequently enough faced across India: balancing developmental needs with minimizing public inconvenience. Reports of possible temporary closures-though contingent on administrative decisions-highlight concerns over road safety during construction phases. Legal efforts questioning continued toll collection may lead to broader debates on openness regarding highway funding and cost recovery models, which could help strengthen trust among road users while ensuring sustained infrastructure maintenance in India.

Read more: