Kochi: The Kerala High Court has stayed toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll plaza on the Edappally-Mannuthy national highway for four weeks, citing the failure to resolve traffic congestion in the area. The court had earlier criticised the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for its inaction in addressing the persistent traffic snarl-ups on the route.

During a previous hearing, the national agency had sought an additional three weeks to find a solution to the issue. The bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Harishankar V Menon has now issued an interim order suspending toll collection, reiterating that any further delay in easing traffic blocks would not be tolerated.

In fact, during a hearing last month, the court observed that if the situation remained unchanged within a week, toll collection at the plaza would have to be stopped. However, in the most recent hearing, NHAI informed the court that it would need another three months to resolve the issue.

The court pointed out that collecting tolls despite the dilapidated condition of the highway was unfair and placed an undue burden on the public. Although the NHAI claimed that a service road had been provided, it admitted that the road was also in a state of disrepair.

The court had earlier criticised the authority for seeking extensions repeatedly and failing to act. Congress leader Shaji Kodankandath had filed the petition seeking an end to toll collection.