Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to rectify, within a time-bound period, the road safety issues identified by the Interim Traffic Management Committee and to report compliance to the panel within two weeks. A Division Bench comprising Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Harisankar V Menon issued the order while hearing a writ petition related to severe traffic congestion along NH-544.

Earlier, toll collection at the Paliyekkara plaza was suspended following a 12-hour blockade reportedly caused by ongoing NHAI construction works. In response, the High Court constituted an Interim Traffic Management Committee to prepare an immediate plan to ease congestion on the stretch.

Although toll collection resumed on October 17 after the Additional Solicitor General assured the court that safety concerns would be promptly resolved, the District Collector informed the Bench on Monday that several issues — including those caused by deep excavation — still persist.

Taking note of the continued safety lapses, the court directed NHAI to ensure full compliance with previous orders and to address the pending issues without further delay.