Kerala High Court Asks Centre To Consider Allowing Vehicles To Pass Without Paying Toll During Busy Hours

The Kerala High Court on Friday asked the Centre to consider allowing vehicles to pass through toll booths without paying toll during busy hours of traffic when the queue of vehicles is long.

A division bench comprising Justice A.Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen asked the Union Government to consider giving retrospective effect to the Policy Circular dated 24.5.2021 of the NHAI Policy Guidelines/ Management of Plaza, 2021 which provides for lifting of the boom barrier to allow free flow of traffic anytime the queue of vehicles in any lanes becomes longer than 100 meters. This free flow of traffic without collecting toll amount will be allowed till the queue comes within 100 meters, according to the circular.

The court was considering an appeal filed highlighting the issue of traffic blocks during busy hours of the day caused due to long queues at toll booths. Taking note of the inconvenience faced by persons who have to wait in long queues to get through toll booths during peak hours of traffic, the court stated:

“It is high time that in the era of technology, traffic is cleared through technology enabled devices for smooth passage of traffic.”

Counsel for Appellant: Anjali Anil A

Case Title: Nithin Ramakrishnan V Union Of India

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Ker) 143

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