The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on petitions challenging the Kerala High Court’s order that suspended toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll plaza on the Edappally–Mannuthy stretch of National Highway 544 in Thrissur. The dispute revolves around whether toll charges can be collected when severe traffic jams, sometimes lasting up to twelve hours, make the 65-kilometre road almost unusable.
The Kerala High Court had earlier directed a four-week suspension of tolls, citing poor road maintenance, incomplete underpass works, and persistent congestion. This decision was challenged before the Apex Court by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and concessionaire Guruvayoor Infrastructure Ltd., which argued that the suspension had caused financial losses running into several crores within days.
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During the hearing, the Bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, with Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria, pressed the NHAI on how commuters could be forced to pay ₹150 when a journey of one hour often stretched to half a day.
"Why should a person pay ₹150 if it takes 12 hours to cross 65 kilometres? A road meant for one hour takes eleven more, and toll is still collected," the CJI remarked.
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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing NHAI, blamed monsoon rains and a lorry accident for the disruption. Justice Chandran, however, noted that the truck had overturned due to a pothole, underlining poor upkeep. Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, for the concessionaire, insisted that underpass works were handled by another contractor and that his client was being unfairly penalised.
The Bench observed that contractual disputes between NHAI and its concessionaire could be addressed through arbitration but emphasised that commuters' interests could not be ignored. The Court has now reserved its verdict, indicating it will weigh the legality of toll suspension against the duty to safeguard public rights.
Case Title: National Highway Authority of India & Anr. vs O.J. Janeesh & Ors.
Case No.: SLP(C) No. 22579/2025
