Kerala High Court Suspends Paliyekkara Toll Collection for Four Weeks Amid Traffic Woes

Rapid Summary

• Kerala HC orders halt on toll collection: The Kerala High Court paused toll collection at Paliyekkara toll plaza for four weeks, citing persistent traffic snarls and the poor condition of the Mannuthy-Edappally stretch of NH 544.
• Petitions filed: The decision came after petitions from lawyer-congress leader Shaji J. Kodankandath and Youth Congress leader O.J. Janesh challenged toll collection due to the highway’s dilapidated state.
• Court observations: The Bench termed ongoing toll charges “unjust” while infrastructure remains inadequate, saying users are “paying a price for a road that doesn’t serve its basic function.”
• NHAI delays remedial measures: NHAI was earlier warned to resolve congestion within a week but requested three additional months. Even service road upgrades remain incomplete.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Kerala High Court’s decision reflects growing frustration over unresolved infrastructure problems on vital national highways, particularly roads like Mannuthy-Edappally that link major urban regions in central Kerala. Toll charges are meant to fund maintenance and quality services; however, when those prerequisites are unmet, it raises valid concerns about accountability among authorities like NHAI.

While halting toll collection provides temporary relief for motorists, systemic inefficiencies must be addressed promptly-whether through stricter project timelines or better oversight mechanisms-to prevent recurring legal interventions. Ensuring functional infrastructure is essential not just for road safety but also to maintain public trust in governance systems overseeing national assets.

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