Kochi: After nearly two-month break, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Guruvayur Infrastructure Private Limited (GIPL) are set to resume toll collection at Paliyekkara on the Mannuthy–Edappally stretch.

According to a Bar and Bench report, the Kerala High Court has lifted the ban on toll collection while hearing NHAI’s plea on Friday. An official order in this regard is expected on Monday. The court also asked the NHAI to submit the order related to the revision of toll rates.

A Division Bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Harisankar V Menon, however, made it clear that it would impose certain conditions while lifting its earlier order suspending toll collection.

The Bench said the suspension will be revoked starting Monday, September 22. It will also pass orders in this regard on Monday.

"Let the suspension be revoked. We will not close the matter; let day-to-day periodic checks be done on the road. We will lift the suspension from Monday because we want to add some conditions. Monday we will pass orders," Justice Mustaque stated orally.

On Thursday, the interim traffic management committee expressed satisfaction with the repair works carried out by the NHAI. The committee, tasked with overseeing the congested stretch, informed the court that it was “satisfied” with the works completed so far.

Following this, the High Court decided to consider NHAI’s plea seeking permission to resume toll collection.

The Interim Traffic Management Committee, chaired by District Collector Arjun Pandian, has informed the court that repair works flagged in earlier directions have been completed satisfactorily.

In its report dated September 16, the panel said it reviewed compliance on issues highlighted by the court and the petitioner. Inputs from the District Police Chief, Regional Transport Officer and the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) confirmed that potholes on the Perambra Eastern Service Road had been repaired and service road junctions properly levelled and tarred.

The committee, after consultations with NATPAC and the PWD, observed that the Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM) standard used by the NHAI was adequate but emphasised the need for routine inspections and periodic overlays to maintain quality.

However, the report also underlined that the pace of underpass construction remains significantly slow, and stressed that a lasting solution to traffic congestion will only emerge once the project is completed.

It was on August 6, the High Court had ordered a two-week halt to toll collection at Paliyekkara, citing lapses by NHAI in addressing persistent traffic congestion and the poor condition of the Mannuthy–Edappally stretch. The ban was further extended as traffic congestion continued for more than 12 hours on the National Highway due to poor condition of the road. Following this, the court appointed a panel to oversee the NHAI’s works on this stretch of NH 544.

(With Bar and Bench inputs)