The Kerala High Court has ordered a four-week suspension of toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll plaza, located on the Edappally–Mannuthy stretch of National Highway 544. The decision comes amid mounting complaints of severe traffic congestion and incomplete road infrastructure.
The court intervened after a petition highlighted that motorists are being charged full toll rates despite the absence of proper underpasses and service roads, sparking widespread public criticism.
A division bench of Justices A. Muhamed Mustaque and Harisankar V. Menon issued the interim order, noting that ongoing construction at key junctions, particularly between Mannuthy and Angamaly, has caused travel delays stretching into hours.
The bench also rebuked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for failing to deliver on earlier assurances to ease traffic woes. While the NHAI blamed damaged service roads for the current chaos, it promised to resolve the issue within three weeks.
Considering the NHAI’s assurance, the High Court temporarily halted toll collection, giving the agency time to complete its commitments and bring relief to stranded motorists.
