Paliyekkara: Kerala High Court forms panel to monitor traffic on NH 544 after 12-hour jam

The Kerala High Court on Thursday ordered the constitution of a committee to monitor traffic conditions at congested areas of the National Highway (NH) 544 [Shaji J Kodankadath v. Union of India and connected cases].

A Division Bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Harisankar V Menon passed the order after taking note of a recent 12-hour traffic block on the Ernakulam-Thrissur stretch of the highway.

The Bench observed that due to its previous order suspending toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll plaza which is on NH 544, more people may choose to use the highway as long as the suspension is in place.

In view of this, the Bench suggested that the committee may consider banning heavy vehicles during the day time.

While the exact constitution of the committee wasn't specified by the Bench, it was made clear that the committee must take into account inputs from local authorities and leaders including Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs).

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court had dismissed the National Highway Authority of India's (NHAI’s) challenge to the Bench's earlier order suspending toll collection for four weeks at the Paliyekkara toll plaza citing poor road conditions and traffic bottlenecks on the highway.

In a strongly worded order, the Supreme Court had refused to set aside the directions of the High Court and asked it to monitor the situation.

The High Court today extended the interim order suspending toll collection to September 9 when the matter will be considered next.