Why should anyone pay for being stuck in a 12-hour traffic jam? This strong remark by the Supreme Court on Monday reflected the plight of thousands of travelers who were stranded for hours on the rain-affected roads of Kerala. The court clearly stated that collecting tolls on poorly maintained roads is an injustice to the public, as people are losing not only money but also their time and patience.
This entire dispute is related to the Edappally-Manuthy (Thrissur) section of National Highway-544. This road, which could previously be covered in just an hour, now takes up to 12 hours in some instances. Despite this, ₹150 is being charged from drivers at the Paliyekkara toll plaza. Angered by this situation, the Kerala High Court issued a major order on August 6, suspending toll collection for four weeks. The court said that when the road is filled with potholes, continuous repair work is ongoing, and there is a severe traffic jam, it is entirely wrong to collect tolls from the public.
The NHAI challenged the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court. The hearing of the case was conducted by a bench of Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, Justice K. Vinod Chandran, and Justice N.V. Anjaria. The NHAI argued that the main reason for the traffic jam was the overturning of a truck, which they called an “Act of God.” They argued that service roads are available and heavy rains had slowed down the repair work. The key suggested that a partial reduction could be made instead of completely stopping the toll.
Justice Chandran clearly stated that if the truck overturned due to a pothole, the accident was not just an act of God but the result of poor maintenance. He also added that a 12-hour traffic jam cannot be resolved by any proportional adjustment. The Chief Justice questioned why anyone should pay ₹150 when a one-hour road takes 12 hours to travel. This is the sentiment of every common person who suffers traffic jams daily, sacrificing their time, energy, and money.
The Supreme Court also drew a comparison with Delhi during the hearing. The court said that even a little rain in the capital brings the city to a standstill. This makes it clear that this problem is not limited to Kerala but shows the flaws in urban roads and infrastructure across the country.
Senior advocate Jayant Mutraj, representing the petitioners, argued that the NHAI had failed to fulfill its responsibilities. When the road is not even fit for travel, collecting tolls violates the principle of public interest. He said that the High Court also decided to suspend the toll only after the NHAI ignored several instructions given.
