Madurai has emerged as the centre of a significant judicial intervention into toll collection practices on national highways, as the High Court has barred authorities from collecting fees on the Madurai–Tuticorin route until the roadway is repaired to legal standards. The decision, issued by a division bench of the Madras High Court, has brought sharp focus back on user rights, state accountability, and infrastructure governance.
The court held that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) could not continue to levy toll charges from commuters using a road that was visibly damaged and poorly maintained. The directive comes as a strong rebuke to the NHAI’s practice of monetising national highway usage regardless of the road’s condition. The judges emphasised that tolls, under the provisions of the National Highways Authority of India Act, 1988, are not merely a financial mechanism but a contractual obligation to deliver safe and well-maintained roads to the public. This particular case, brought to the court’s attention through a public petition, highlighted the continuing collection of tolls on the Madurai–Tuticorin highway even after the official concessionaire responsible for road maintenance was removed due to gross non-compliance. The petition alleged that the road condition had continued to deteriorate while toll booths remained active, thereby exploiting commuters.
The NHAI defended its actions by arguing that the dispute stemmed from contractual obligations with the now-dismissed concessionaire and was already being dealt with through arbitration. However, the court dismissed this argument, clarifying that contractual disputes could not override the fundamental public right to safe and maintained infrastructure. “The pendency of arbitration does not absolve the NHAI of its statutory obligation,” the court noted, stating that citizens paying toll are not just passive users but stakeholders entitled to service quality and road safety. The judges also underscored the need for greater transparency in how toll revenues are utilised, particularly for routine maintenance, which is often neglected until legal or political pressure forces action.
The court’s decision has come as a welcome relief for thousands of daily commuters and transporters who have frequently raised concerns over potholes, faded lane markings, and lack of safety signage on the route. Residents and highway users have long contended that road conditions are not just an inconvenience, but a hazard—especially for vehicles during monsoon and night-time travel. Toll collection, according to the court, may resume only once the highway is repaired to standards set out in national highway norms. Until then, the NHAI and other relevant authorities are expected to prioritise road restoration and present evidence of compliance.
This ruling carries broader implications beyond Madurai and Tuticorin. It sets a judicial precedent that holds infrastructure authorities accountable for the real-time condition of roads, not just contractual milestones or financial obligations. The High Court’s stance may inspire similar petitions across other under-maintained toll roads in the country, demanding that public money be tied directly to service quality. As Tamil Nadu works toward a more transparent and equitable infrastructure model, the judgment also reinforces the principle that sustainable urban mobility must be both financially fair and functionally reliable. The court’s insistence on statutory adherence paves the way for more responsible road governance and could usher in a new era of commuter-centric highway policy in India.
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