The Supreme Court has issued a sharp rebuke to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) concerning the ongoing issues of traffic congestion and toll collection, particularly in the context of Kerala’s poorly maintained roads. The court’s intervention came after considering the grievances of commuters enduring extensive delays on National Highway 544. A key point of contention was the continued practice of charging ₹150 at toll plazas, despite journeys taking significantly longer due to road conditions.
The case centers on the Edappally-Manuthy section of NH-544. A journey that once took an hour has been exacerbated by severe traffic, with some travelers experiencing delays of up to 12 hours. The Kerala High Court previously intervened, suspending toll collection for a four-week period, citing the inadequate state of the roads, including potholes, ongoing repairs, and the resulting congestion.
The NHAI challenged this decision in the Supreme Court, attributing the congestion to an overturned truck and classifying it as an “Act of God.” The NHAI also cited available service roads and heavy rainfall as contributing factors, and proposed a partial reduction in toll fees instead of a complete halt.
The Justices responded with strong reservations. Justice Chandran asserted that if a pothole caused the truck accident, it was not solely an act of God but a consequence of poor maintenance practices. The Chief Justice also inquired about the justification for charging ₹150 for a trip that now takes twelve times longer.
The Supreme Court also highlighted the challenges faced in Delhi, where even moderate rainfall can paralyze the city’s traffic, indicating a widespread problem with urban infrastructure. Jayant Mutraj, the petitioners’ lawyer, argued that the NHAI had failed in its responsibilities and that toll collection on such roads was against public interest, emphasizing that the High Court’s decision was made after the NHAI disregarded multiple directives.