The Kerala High Court has issued a clear directive to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI): swiftly address the pressing safety concerns identified by the interim traffic management committee along the Edappally-Mannuthy NH 544 corridor. The court expects these issues to be resolved within a specified timeframe.
The NHAI must also provide a compliance report by mid-November, detailing the actions taken regarding safety and other related problems on the 65-kilometer stretch. Toll collection had resumed on October 17, 2025, after the NHAI promised immediate measures to alleviate traffic congestion. This resumption followed a court-ordered suspension of toll collection from August 6, which was prompted by numerous petitions highlighting severe traffic snarls, including one that lasted an astonishing 12 hours. These petitions urged the NHAI to guarantee safe and unhindered vehicle movement. Consequently, a dedicated traffic management committee was formed to develop an interim plan.
During proceedings on Monday, October 3, 2025, a Division Bench comprising Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Harisankar V. Menon reiterated the directive for the NHAI to address ongoing safety issues. This decision came while reviewing a petition filed by Congress leader Shaji J. Kodankandath and other parties. The court’s intervention was further necessitated by the Thrissur District Collector’s submission, which confirmed persistent safety hazards along the NH 544 corridor, particularly around areas undergoing deep excavation.
Toll Collection Under Scrutiny Again
On the same day, Mr. Kodankandath also contested the continued collection of toll fees on the highway. He argued that Guruvayoor Infrastructure Private Ltd, the developer, had already recuperated the entire project cost, along with a reasonable profit. The fundamental principle of toll collection, he asserted, is to allow motorists to travel without encountering traffic congestion. However, despite the re-establishment of toll, traffic flow has shown no improvement, with lengthy blockages still plaguing Muringur and Amballur. This situation is predicted to deteriorate further once the Koratty junction is closed for underpass construction.
Furthermore, the impending Sabarimala pilgrim season is expected to exacerbate the problem, potentially bringing traffic to a complete halt as a surge of vehicles from various districts and states heads towards the sacred hill shrine. Arguing that the ongoing toll collection on this NH section is both unlawful and arbitrary, Mr. Kodankandath has appealed to the High Court to limit toll collection at NHAI’s Paliyekkara Plaza to only the Edappally-Angamaly stretch, and only until the underpasses at Amballur, Chirangara, Karukutti, Mulangu, and Koratty are fully operational.