Kochi: After weeks of suspension, toll collection at Paliyekkara on the Edappally–Mannuthy National Highway is set to restart from Monday, following a Kerala High Court directive. The court had earlier halted toll operations on August 6, citing heavy congestion from underpass works and poor service road conditions.
A Division Bench of Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Harishankar V. Menon has now allowed resumption, but only under specific conditions. Authorities have also been asked to submit records on the recently revised toll rates, with the court’s order on Monday set to decide if the higher charges will apply.
The NHAI and the concessionaire, who even took the matter to the Supreme Court unsuccessfully, argued that nearly 300 employees’ livelihoods depend on toll operations and that financial losses were mounting.
Under the new tariff plan, the one-way toll for cars rises from ₹90 to ₹95, while the daily return fee stays at ₹140. For other vehicle categories, one-way charges are expected to go up by ₹5–₹15.
The final word, however, rests with the High Court’s ruling next week—making it decisive for both motorists and operators.
