Kerala HC Summons Thrissur Collector Over Poor NH-544 Condition

Rapid Summary

• Kerala High Court directed Thrissur District Collector to appear online on September 10 regarding the condition of NH 544 corridor and toll suspension.
• Toll collection at Paliyekkara toll plaza was suspended due to traffic jams caused by poorly maintained diversion/service roads near construction sites for underpasses and flyovers.
• Police reported bottlenecks at service roads, leading to accidents and further chaos near work sites.
• The court questioned the Union government’s lack of intervention while NHAI announced a toll hike amidst suspension.
• Interim Traffic Management Committee report recommended repairing and widening service roads, improving drainage, culvert slabs, transition lengths, signage, lighting, and deploying personnel for traffic management.
• Thrissur District Collector previously stated slow progress in underpass construction due to inadequate manpower/equipment; urged war-footing steps by NHAI.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Kerala High Court’s proactive stance on addressing acute infrastructure problems on the Edapally-Thrissur NH 544 corridor underscores the critical necessity for timely maintenance alongside transparent governance. Persistent bottlenecks not only disrupt daily commutes but also pose risks of accidents near flyover/underpass construction zones. The reported inefficiencies highlight systemic lapses in executing public projects within deadlines.

The issue’s escalation raises questions about coordination between state decision-makers like the police/MVD with central authorities such as NHAI. The court questioning Union intervention suggests accountability gaps in managing national highways despite being under central jurisdiction. This ongoing case could prompt stricter operational scrutiny across projects involving mixed administrative responsibilities.

Near-term resolutions may depend on implementing practical recommendations like road repairs or streamlined diversions from reports submitted by various committees/agencies. Ensuring adequate resources for contractors could mitigate delays before becoming prolonged public grievances impacting commuters statewide.

Read more: Indian Express – September 09