The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its order on the petition filed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) challenging the Kerala High Court’s direction to suspend toll collection at the Paliyekkara plaza on NH 544 for four weeks.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, heard the matter. The Kerala High Court had intervened after severe traffic congestion and poor road conditions, including pothole-ridden stretches, led to massive inconvenience for commuters.

During the proceedings, NHAI argued that ongoing service road construction had been delayed due to Monsoon rains. The bench, while acknowledging the impact of rains, questioned the justification of collecting toll when commuters faced hardships such as a 12-hour-long traffic block last weekend.

CJI Gavai, drawing a parallel with the national capital, remarked:
“In Delhi, you know what happens… if it rains for two hours, the entire city gets paralysed.”

The Court has now reserved its order in the matter.