NH 544 Woes Persist as HC Deadline Passes Without Relief

Quick Summary

• Kerala High Court had set July 9 as the deadline for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to explain continued toll collection on the Edappally-Mannuthy National Highway given poor road conditions.
• NHAI failed to address the court’s order, risking temporary suspension of toll collection.
• Road conditions remain deplorable with numerous under-construction sections forcing traffic onto problematic service roads. Issues include potholes, slush-filled surfaces, stagnant water, and inadequate safety infrastructure like poorly secured barricades.
• A recent incident highlighted safety risks when a car plunged into a water-filled pothole on an unmarked stretch of road.
• Specific areas such as Koratty, chirangara, Muringoor are severely affected by potholes and stalled construction projects due to workforce delays and rain interruptions. Locals doubt project deadlines in October will be met without immediate intervention.
• Commuters report extended travel times of up to two extra hours between Thrissur and Ernakulam despite paying highway tolls.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The situation raises critical concerns regarding public accountability in infrastructure management amidst ongoing judicial oversight. The failure by NHAI to comply with Kerala High Court directives undermines legal enforcement mechanisms for public welfare solutions.Poor road maintenance coupled with unchecked toll collection erodes commuter trust while infringing on their right to safe transportation services.

This issue highlights structural flaws-both administrative inefficiency and inadequate coordination between contractors-to complete time-sensitive projects like underpasses along vital stretches promptly. If delays persist accompanied by absent remediation measures for temporary service routes alongside intensifying hazards from rains/deprivation safety buffer zones Public frustration risks cement widening derailment completion dates read whole pacing workplace scale-up necessary-needed voice echo complaints leading notable Justice.Soicai assembly align far efficient देखें।

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