A Division Bench , which was expected to decide on the suspension of toll collection at the plaza, extended it further until the service road is repaired.
| Photo Credit: K.K. NAJEEB
The Kerala High Court on Monday (September 22, 2025) once again extended the suspension of toll collection at the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) Paliyekkara toll plaza in Thrissur, citing the damaged service road at Muringoor on NH 544.
The damaged service road found mention in a report submitted by the District Collector of Thrissur on the condition of the highway, based on feedback from the police and the Motor Vehicles department (MVD).
A Division Bench comprising Justice A. Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Harisankar V. Menon, which was expected to decide on the suspension of toll collection, extended it further until the service road is repaired.
The NHAI informed the court that the road suffered damage when excavation was done to build a retention wall.
The court posted the matter for hearing on Thursday and issued directions to the NHAI to restore the service road by then.
Massive traffic hold-ups
The court had suspended toll collection at the plaza on August 6 in the wake of petitions regarding massive traffic hold-ups in the 65-km Edapally-Muthakunnam corridor.
This was attributed to inadequate and shoddily-maintained diversion/service roads, especially near underpass and flyover work sites. The situation worsened when traffic hold-ups lasted for about 12 hours in early August.
The Supreme Court too upheld the suspension of toll collection and asked why commuters had to pay toll “if it took 12 hours to cover the 65 km distance on NH 544.”
Published – September 22, 2025 02:32 pm IST
