Paliyekkara toll: Up to ₹15 in savings for commuters as Kerala HC sets conditions

Though a section of people have termed the Kerala High Court order allowing resumption of toll collection on the Edappally-Mannuthy stretch of NH 544 “disappointing”, the court’s specific condition restricts vehicle users from paying the newly increased toll of up to ₹15.

The decision came on Friday when a division bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Harisankar V Menon revoked the interim suspension on user fees at the Paliyekkara toll plaza in Thrissur.

“The Court also took note that a new toll fee rate has come unto effect from September 1. It said the same cannot be given effect to on this stretch of the NH 544. It thus revoked the suspension only on the condition that new rates shall not be collected till further orders,” Bar and Bench reported.

What the court said

The bench emphasised that the matter is not yet closed and would require further consideration.

"We are not closing this matter. Matter has to be taken up in appropriate time for certain directions. At the same time we have concern to the fact that the construction if not allowed to collect the toll, it may rise to multiple litigation. It is a matter to be adjudicated. We also do not want public to be looser in this situation. Though adequate measures have been taken though not sufficient. We are of the view that the suspension order had to be revoked with further directions and conditions," Live Law reported quoting the court.

Toll hike approval and proposed rates

Earlier, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had granted in-principle approval for a toll hike at the Paliyekkara plaza. A senior NHAI officia then told the New Indian Express that although toll collection had been suspended, the concessionaire could implement the increased rates once judicial clearance was obtained. The current court condition prevents this from happening. 

According to this year’s revised rates, the toll for a single trip has gone up by ₹5 to ₹15

If implemented, the revised toll rates for 2025 would be:

• Cars: ₹95 per one-way trip (up from ₹90); daily multiple-trip charge ₹140
• Light commercial vehicles: ₹165 (₹245 for multiple trips)
• Buses and trucks: ₹330 (₹495 for multiple trips)
• Multi-axle vehicles: ₹530 (₹795 for multiple trips)

Why protesters find the order disappointing

The court’s order arose from a batch of writ petitions challenging toll charges while the stretch suffers from heavy traffic congestion due to construction of underpasses, flyovers, drainage work, and poorly maintained service roads.

Petitioners and protestors argued that even the Supreme Court has held that user fees can only be charged if road travel is comfortable. They said they would examine the feasibility of appealing the High Court decision in the Supreme Court.