Kerala HC halts Paliyekkara toll collection amidst highway congestion concerns

Kochi: The Kerala High Court has considered a set of petitions demanding a temporary halt to toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll plaza, citing ongoing traffic congestion along the Edappally–Mannuthy stretch of the National Highway. As of now, the toll collection has been halted for four weeks. The matter was heard by a division bench comprising Justice Muhammad Mushtaq and Justice Harisankar V Menon.

The petitions were filed by Thrissur District Congress Committee President Joseph Taget, Shaji Kodakandath, and others. The petitioners argued that toll rates have been increased without ensuring the facilities promised in the original contract, and that the severe traffic congestion makes the continued toll collection unjustifiable.

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General A R L Sundaresan, representing the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), stated that congestion was limited to a few kilometres and that traffic was being diverted through the service road. State Attorney N Manoj Kumar, appearing for the state government, also assured the court that steps were underway to ease the traffic situation.

However, the petitioners contended that the congestion persists and that no effective solution has yet been implemented. The court has adjourned the matter for further orders.