Kerala Highway Toll Suspended Over Poor Road Condition
Kerala’s motorists have won a reprieve after the country’s top court barred toll collection on the troubled Edappally–Mannuthy stretch of National Highway 544, citing the highway’s crumbling surface and persistent gridlocks. The ruling not only halts payments at the Paliyekkara toll plaza in Thrissur district but also signals a wider rethink on how infrastructure should serve citizens before extracting user fees.
The court’s decision came after a prolonged tussle between highway authorities and road users, many of whom have endured marathon traffic snarls lasting over 12 hours on a route that should take little more than one. The judges observed that forcing commuters to pay nearly ₹150 while navigating potholes and guttered lanes undermined public trust, raising fundamental questions on governance and accountability in infrastructure management.
This ruling highlights a critical issue that resonates across Indian cities: the growing disconnect between toll revenues and the quality of services delivered. With millions of citizens dependent on highways for work, trade, and mobility, road quality directly impacts economic efficiency and public welfare. In Thrissur, the chaos caused by recurring traffic jams not only trapped commuters but also disrupted freight movement, hitting both local livelihoods and the regional economy.
Highway authorities had argued that ongoing works would eventually improve conditions, but the judiciary took a firm view that prolonged delays cannot justify toll collection in the interim. Observers point out that infrastructure contracts often prioritise revenue generation over timely upkeep, leaving users to shoulder the cost of inefficiency. The court’s words describing potholes and congestion as “symbols of inefficiency” will likely resonate with commuters nationwide who face similar challenges. Beyond the immediate relief for motorists, the order sparks a broader debate on sustainable and inclusive infrastructure. In a country aspiring for net zero commitments, roadways must be built not only for speed but also for resilience. Poorly maintained highways increase fuel consumption, worsen emissions, and raise accident risks, undermining environmental and social goals. Experts argue that equitable transport policies must link toll collections to measurable benchmarks on quality, safety, and ecological sustainability.
For Kerala, known for its dependence on both road and rail connectivity, the suspension of tolls may also shift attention toward diversifying mobility solutions, including improved public transport. Citizens, already bearing the cost of higher fuel prices and urban congestion, are unlikely to tolerate being charged for inefficiency much longer. The order thus underscores a simple principle with national significance: citizens cannot be made to pay for broken promises. As highways expand, the focus must move from revenue-first models to user-centred systems where quality, sustainability, and safety come before toll receipts.
