In a significant move aimed at improving road traffic management, the Kerala High Court has issued an interim order stating that toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll plaza must be waived if the line of waiting vehicles exceeds 100 meters.

The order was passed by a division bench consisting of Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas and Justice P Krishnakumar while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by social activist OJ Jeneesh, represented by Advocate Sreelakshmi Sabu.

The petition highlighted that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had issued clear guidelines in 2021 stating that vehicles should pass through toll plazas within 10 seconds. It was argued that the Paliyekkara toll booth often fails to meet this standard, causing long traffic snarls and undue delays for commuters.

Responding to these concerns, the High Court directed that the NHAI guidelines must be strictly adhered to. If there is a failure in implementation, the NHAI is required to submit an affidavit explaining the reasons for non-compliance. The Court emphasized that if the queue of vehicles extends beyond 100 meters, toll collection must be stopped, and vehicles should be allowed to pass without payment.