NH-544: Kerala High Court Extends Toll Suspension At Paliyekkara Amid Reports Of Traffic Congestion, Asks NHAI If Work Complete

The Kerala High Court has extended the suspension of toll collection at Paliyekkara Toll Plaza (Thrissur district) on NH 544, amid reports of traffic congestion due to ongoing work being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India.

The Division bench comprising Justice A Muhammed Mustaque and Justice Harisankar V Menon directed the NHAI to submit a report on the completion of work. It orally said,

"It was reported that yesterday there was traffic congestion due to the work being undertaken. It is appropriate to refer to the following observation of the Committee... in the light of above we adjourn this matter to get a further report as well as the completion of work by NHAI."

The Court asked the District Collector the level of inconvenience being caused in the stretch noting that minor inconvenience is bound to happen during construction.

The District Collector appearing online, submitted that NHAI has not complied with all the direction to ensure safe passage of commuters.

Additional Solicitor General of India appearing online submitted, "Let there be continuous monitoring, we are not averse. Whatever has to be done we are doing it. The toll collection must be resumed. We will try to avoid future occurrences. Whatever is suggested, we will look into it and do it."

The Court had initially suspended the toll collection at Paliyekkara Toll Plaza for 4 weeks, which was extended by subsequent orders.

An Interim Traffic Management Committee was constituted to devise an interim traffic management plan on the congested stretch in NH 544 and conduct traffic inspection in the stretch. The committee inspected the stretch and pointed issues of uneven surfaces and culvert works. The Court had then directed the NHAI to submit a compliance report to the District Collector and the Interim Committee. This report was found satisfactory by the Committee. 

During the last hearing the court deferred from lifting the suspension siting collapse of service road at Muringoor. 

The matter is posted on 30 September for further consideration. 

Case Title - Shaji J Kodankadath v Union of India and connected cases

Case No - WP(C) 20253/2021 and connected cases

Counsel for Petitioners - K B Gangesh, Smitha Chathanarambath, Amal S Kumar, Athira A Menon, John Varghese, V Praveen, Sonu Augustine, Premchand M, Sreelakshmi Sabu, P K Subhash, Anoop V Nair, Tanoosha Paul

Counsel for Respondents - O M Shalina (DSG), Nanavati Maulik G, Arun Thomas, Jennis Stephen, Anil Sebastian Pulickel, P Martin Jose, P Prijith, Thomas P Kurivila, Ajay Ben Jose, Manjunath Menon, Hani P Nair, R Githesh, Sachin Jacob Ambat, Anna Lind Eden, Harikrishnan S, Mathews K Philip, T C Krishna, C Dinesh, B G Bidan Chandran, Mathews Nevin Thomas, Kurian Antony Mathew, R Githesh, Sachin Jacob Ambat, N Manoj Kumar (State Attorney), C Harikumar, Sandra Sunny, Arun Kumar M A, Farah Jyothi Pradeep, Anavadya Sanil Kumar, Anjali Krishna 

Click Here To Read/ Download Interim Order