Paliyekkara toll plaza to become toll-free; High Court orders waiving of toll if this situation happens

KOCHI: The High Court has ordered that toll collection should be waived and the vehicles should be allowed to pass through if the queue of vehicles at the Paliyekkara toll plaza is more than 100 meters long. The interim order of a division bench comprising Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice P Krishnakumar has directed that the guidelines issued by the National Highways Authority of India in 2021 should be strictly followed in this regard. The court was considering a public interest litigation filed by public activist OJ Jeneesh through Advocate Sreelakshmi Sabu.

It was pointed out in the petition that the guidelines state that vehicles should cross the toll plaza within 10 seconds. The court directed that the National Highways Authority should ensure that these guidelines are followed. If not, an affidavit should be filed explaining why they are not being implemented. The petition will be considered again on May 21.