NH-544: Kerala High Court Hints At Resuming Toll Collection At Paliyekkara Toll Plaza

The Kerala High Court on Friday said it will consider allowing toll Collection at Paliyekkara Toll Plaza (Thrissur district) on NH-544 highway, from Monday onwards.

The toll collection at the Plaza was suspended by an order dated August 6, following a 12-hour blockade purportedly due to ongoing construction projects sanctioned by the National Highways Authority of India. The decision was affirmed by the Supreme Court on August 18.

Yesterday, the division bench comprising Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Harisankar V Menon were told that the Interim Traffic Management Committee, tasked to oversee the congested stretch of the highway, is "satisfied" with the works carried out by NHAI.

Additional Solicitor General of India, ARL Sundaresan representing NHAI today sought permission for toll collection, stating, "For the last one month we are without any income, about 300 employees are there, and we are periodically maintaining the roads. Your lordship shall permit us.”

"We will allow it on Monday, but we have to put some conditions", the bench then responded orally. 

An Interim Traffic Management Committee was constituted to devise an interim traffic management plan on the congested stretch in NH 544.

Pursuant to the directions of the Court the District Collector has informed the Court that directions have been issued to NHAI on issues of uneven surfaces and culvert works in certain stretches. The Court has directed NHAI to submit a compliance report to the District Collector.

The Compliance report was submitted by NHAI an the Interim Committee has expressed satisfaction in the report. 

The case is posted on Monday for orders. 

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