In a significant ruling this Monday, the Kerala High Court announced yet another extension of the toll collection suspension at the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) Paliyekkara plaza in Thrissur. The court’s decision directly addresses the critical issue of the severely damaged service road located at Muringoor on NH 544, prioritizing public safety and convenience.
This ongoing problem with the service road was highlighted in a recent report from the Thrissur District Collector. The report, which incorporated crucial feedback from both the police and the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD), detailed the perilous state of the highway’s infrastructure.
A Division Bench, led by Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Harisankar V. Menon, had been expected to deliver a definitive ruling on the toll suspension. Instead, they opted for a further extension, making it clear that toll collection will not resume until the vital service road undergoes necessary repairs.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) acknowledged in court that the damage to the road occurred during excavation work for the construction of a new retention wall, implicating construction activities as the cause of the current predicament.
The case is now scheduled for another hearing this Thursday, with the court issuing stern directives to the NHAI to ensure the service road is fully restored and made safe for public use before that date.
Commuter Chaos and Judicial Intervention
The initial suspension of toll collection at the plaza dates back to August 6, following a surge of petitions from the public. These complaints detailed severe traffic congestion and prolonged hold-ups along the 65-kilometer Edapally-Muthakunnam corridor, prompting judicial intervention.
The root cause of these issues was identified as inadequate and poorly maintained diversion and service roads, particularly in areas undergoing underpass and flyover construction. The situation reached a breaking point in early August, with traffic jams lasting an astonishing 12 hours, severely impacting commuters.
Even the Supreme Court had previously endorsed the toll suspension, questioning the rationale behind making commuters pay for such dismal conditions. Their Lordships pointedly asked why citizens should be charged a toll if it takes an egregious 12 hours to traverse a mere 65 kilometers on NH 544.