Kerala HC Flags Concerns Over Traffic Woes on Edappally-Thrissur NH-544

Swift Summary

• The Kerala High Court raised concerns over persistent traffic congestion on the Edappally-Thrissur National Highway (NH)-544 corridor.
• Motorists have filed pleas demanding a halt to toll collection at the Paliyekkara toll booth until flyovers and underpasses are built to reduce congestion.
• The court adjourned the case hearing to Monday after the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) requested more time to respond.
• The Kerala government stated that the Chief Secretary held a stakeholder meeting aimed at decongesting the busy stretch.
• NHAI attributed ongoing traffic issues to construction work on underpasses at five locations along NH-544.
• In an earlier directive,the Kerala HC warned that toll collection should be stopped if NHAI fails to ensure smooth travel by addressing potholes and traffic snarl-ups.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Kerala high Court’s scrutiny reflects growing public frustration over delays in infrastructure improvements alongside continued toll collection-a challenge emblematic of urbanization pressures across India.While construction projects, such as underpasses, are crucial for long-term solutions, immediate measures may be required to ease bottlenecks during ongoing work. This highlights NHAI’s dual responsibility: managing disruptions caused by infrastructure upgrades while assuring motorists their rights as paying users of national highways.

From a governance perspective, coordination between state authorities and central agencies like NHAI will prove vital in resolving this issue effectively. For Kerala specifically, efficient highway management could set broader precedents for balancing growth goals with citizen satisfaction across India’s expanding road networks.

Published: July 31, 2025 | Read More: [source link]