New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the appeal filed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and concessionaire Guruvayoor Infrastructure Ltd, thereby upholding the Kerala High Court’s order suspending toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll plaza in Thrissur district. The decision comes amid mounting criticism over the deplorable state of the Edappally–Mannuthy stretch of National Highway 544.
A bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran delivered the verdict today evening, rejecting the pleas that sought to overturn the High Court’s August 6 order. The Kerala High Court had earlier suspended toll collection for four weeks, citing that motorists cannot be burdened with user fees when the road itself is in a dismal condition.
During hearings, the apex court bench came down heavily on the NHAI for failing to maintain the highway despite years of toll collection. Highlighting the weekend traffic crisis where commuters were stuck for nearly 12 hours, the judges questioned the fairness of charging motorists for a road that is “barely motorable.”
“Why should a person pay ₹150 if it takes 12 hours to cover a stretch that should ordinarily take one hour?” CJI Gavai asked in sharp remarks during proceedings. Justice Chandran also pointed out that even the judiciary has personally experienced the long hours of congestion on the route, reinforcing the concerns raised in media reports.
The NHAI was represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while Senior Advocate Shyam Divan appeared for the concessionaire. Opposing them, Senior Advocate Jayant Muthuraj argued on behalf of commuters, stressing that the principle of toll collection rests on a fundamental obligation to provide usable infrastructure.
The Kerala High Court, in its earlier judgment, had underlined that toll collection is inseparably linked to public trust. “Citizens are bound to pay user fees only when the highway remains accessible and functional. Once that trust is breached due to poor maintenance and prolonged traffic snarls, the right to demand toll collapses,” the order stated.
The Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeals marks a significant victory for road users, while simultaneously sending a stern message to infrastructure authorities that collecting tolls without ensuring road quality violates the essence of public accountability.
Case Title: National Highway Authority of India and Anr. vs O.J. Janeesh and Ors
Case No.: SLP(C) No. 22579/2025