09 Jun, 2025
Supreme Court Stays Madras High Court Order Halting Toll Collection on Madurai–Tuticorin Highway
New Delhi | June 9, 2025
The Supreme Court of India on Monday stayed the Madras High Court’s recent directive which had restrained the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) from collecting toll at two plazas on the Madurai–Tuticorin National Highway (NH-38).
A Bench led by Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Manmohan passed the stay order while hearing a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by NHAI challenging the High Court’s June 3 ruling.
Supreme Court’s Observations
During the brief proceedings, the Supreme Court acknowledged the concerns raised by the High Court but granted interim relief to NHAI. The Bench stayed the enforcement of the Madras HC order and issued notice to the original petitioners.
Justice Manmohan remarked that while users’ grievances were valid, toll collection is part of an established contractual mechanism, and any suspension could have broader financial and legal ramifications.
The Supreme Court has sought a reply from the petitioners in the High Court and will hear the matter in due course. In the meantime, toll collection will resume as per NHAI’s original structure on the Madurai–Tuticorin stretch.
The final verdict could impact toll regimes across India, especially on stretches where users allege poor infrastructure and unmet service conditions.
Significance
• The NH-38 is a vital commercial corridor linking southern Tamil Nadu to the Tuticorin port.
• A full suspension of tolls could impact NHAI’s funding structure and lead to broader contractual disputes.
Case : THE GENERAL MANAGER (T)
NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA
VS. V.BALAKRISHNAN | SLP(C) No.
16474/2025
Share this News
