Supreme Court allows NHAI to resume toll collection after Madras HC halted it over poor road conditions. Final hearing pending.
New Delhi: Today, on June 9, the Supreme Court of India put a temporary hold on an earlier order passed by the Madras High Court that had stopped the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) from collecting tolls on the Madurai-Tuticorin national highway.
This development came after the NHAI approached the top court seeking relief against the High Court’s direction.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Manmohan heard the matter and issued a notice to V. Balakrishnan, a retired Assistant Executive Engineer from the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), residing in the Tuticorin district.
It was based on his petition that the Madras High Court had passed its earlier order stopping toll collection.
The apex court’s order has provided interim relief to NHAI, allowing it to continue toll collection for now, until a final decision is made.
Earlier, the Madras High Court had passed a significant order on June 3, stating that toll collection should not be allowed on the highway unless and until the road was properly re-laid and maintained in accordance with standards set by the NHAI.
The High Court had made it clear that the NHAI cannot charge tolls from the public for using poorly maintained roads.
The Madras High Court had observed that,
“the NHAI has an obligation to maintain highways properly, pursuant to which they can collect toll fees from such users.”
The court further ruled that
“no collection of toll till the roads are properly maintained by the authority as per the standards prescribed under the National Highways Authority of India Act.”
NHAI, in its plea before the Supreme Court, argued that the High Court’s decision would cause major financial difficulties and disrupt ongoing operations on the highway, prompting the apex court to intervene.
With the interim stay now in place, the toll booths on the Madurai-Tuticorin stretch of the highway are expected to continue functioning as earlier, until the matter is fully heard and resolved by the Supreme Court.
Also Read: Supreme Court Criticizes NHAI Over Delays in Filing Appeals: Calls for Introspection
The outcome of the case could have a wider impact on how toll policies are enforced, especially in cases where road maintenance is challenged by citizens.
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