Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai recently made a sharp remark while hearing a petition filed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) concerning toll collection on National Highway 544 in Thrissur district, Kerala. The Kerala High Court had earlier suspended toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll plaza due to the poor condition of the highway, prompting the NHAI and its concessionaire, Guruvayoor Infrastructure, to challenge the decision before the Supreme Court.
During the hearing, CJI Gavai observed that even the national capital comes to a standstill if it rains for just two hours, underlining how infrastructure issues affect the public. He questioned the rationale behind charging toll fees on roads that fail to provide basic efficiency and convenience for commuters. Referring to reports of a massive 12-hour traffic jam on the highway, the Chief Justice noted that such conditions defeat the very purpose of a toll road.
Raising a pointed query, the bench asked why a person should be required to pay Rs. 150 if it takes them 12 hours to travel a stretch of road that should ordinarily take only one hour. Justice Gavai remarked that imposing toll charges despite such delays amounts to unfair treatment of road users, as citizens not only lose time but are also compelled to bear additional financial burdens.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria, reserved its verdict on the petition. The case has highlighted broader concerns regarding accountability in road maintenance and whether toll collection can be justified when the condition of the highway fails to meet the expected standards. The Supreme Court’s eventual decision will carry significant implications for both the NHAI and road users in Kerala.
