The Kerala High Court refused to halt toll collection at Nattika plaza. The decision keeps fees in place while authorities answer the pending PIL.
Kochi,Oct 14, 2026 17:14 IST
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday declined to stay toll collection at the Nattika plaza on National Highway 66 after the Centre and the National Highways Authority of India said the fee was being charged only for the completed portion of the road.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation challenging the collection of toll before the entire Kappirikkad-Kodungallur stretch was completed. The toll plaza has also witnessed protests by political parties, while the Kerala government has said it will intervene in the matter.
Counsel for the NHAI and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways told a bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M that 51 km of the 60-km stretch in Thrissur district had been completed.
“Only one flyover and two viaducts remain to be completed. The toll is being collected only for the completed portion,” the counsel said.
He submitted that toll collection should begin within 45 days of the issuance of the completion certificate as the project was funded by public money.
Following the submissions, the bench sought responses from the ministry, the NHAI and the Kerala government on the PIL filed by Anil Kumar P K, who contended that toll was being collected before the entire stretch was completed.
The court refused to grant an interim stay, observing that people were already using and benefiting from the completed 51-km stretch. It posted the matter for further hearing on November 4.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan told the state Assembly on Tuesday that the government would intervene in the matter. He said the District Collector had been instructed to hold discussions with all stakeholders to reach a decision. “We can examine the complaints of the people and take a decision,” he said.
Toll collection at the Nattika plaza will, therefore, continue for the completed portion of the highway while the High Court considers responses from the Centre, the NHAI and the state government.
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