Kerala High Court Demands Progress Report on NH 544 Construction and Blackspot Rectification
The Kerala High Court has taken a proactive stance on the ongoing infrastructure developments along the critical Edappally-Mannuthy stretch of National Highway 544. On Thursday, the court issued a directive requiring the interim traffic management committee to furnish a detailed progress report. This report must comprehensively cover the advancements in road widening, the construction of underpasses, and the crucial rectification of identified blackspots along this heavily trafficked corridor.
Court's Directive in Response to Public Interest Litigations
The bench, comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar, issued this order while hearing Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by Shaji J Kodankandath of Thrissur and other concerned citizens. These petitions challenged the resumption of toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll plaza in Thrissur. The petitioners argued that severe traffic congestion, directly resulting from the ongoing underpass construction activities, made toll collection unjustifiable at this juncture.
During the proceedings, the High Court made a critical observation, emphasizing that all construction, repair, and associated works must be conclusively finished before the arrival of the monsoon season. To ensure proper monitoring, the court has adjourned the hearing of these PILs to May 28, 2026, by which time the progress report is expected.
Government Submissions and Historical Context of Toll Suspension
Representing the central government, Additional Solicitor General A R L Sundaresan provided an update to the court. He submitted that rectification work at the designated accident-prone blackspots had already commenced and assured the bench that these efforts would be completed prior to the monsoon. In light of this, the court formally directed the interim traffic management committee—a body it had previously constituted and which is headed by the Thrissur District Collector—to compile and file a detailed progress report on all ongoing activities.
This legal scrutiny follows a significant history. In August 2025, the High Court had initially suspended toll collection at the Paliyekkara plaza after noting the severe traffic snarls and the deteriorated road conditions caused by the construction. This suspension was later upheld by the Supreme Court, which explicitly stated that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) could approach the High Court to seek revocation of the suspension only after smooth traffic flow was demonstrably restored.
Resumption of Toll Collection and Ongoing Balancing Act
Following intensive, war-footing rectification works carried out by the authorities, repeated requests were made to the High Court to permit the resumption of toll collection. In October 2025, after careful consideration of multiple factors, the court granted permission for toll collection to resume. The court's decision aimed to strike a delicate balance between addressing legitimate public grievances over congestion and supporting essential long-term infrastructure development, including the vital road widening and underpass construction projects.
The current directive for a progress report underscores the court's continued oversight. It ensures that the authorities remain accountable for completing the promised improvements, particularly the elimination of hazardous blackspots, to enhance safety and traffic efficiency on NH 544 before the challenging monsoon conditions set in.
