Traffic conditions on NH at Paliyekkara: Kerala HC directs collector to appear online today

Kochi: High court has directed the Thrissur district collector to appear online on Wednesday (Sept 10) to explain the present traffic conditions at the Paliyekkara toll plaza and along the entire Edappally-Mannuthy stretch of NH 544. The bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Harisankar V Menon issued the directive while considering petitions filed by Thrissur natives Shaji K Kodankandath, Joseph Tajet and others, challenging toll collection at Paliyekkara in light of severe traffic congestion on the stretch. During hearing on Tuesday, NHAI and the concessionaire urged HC to vacate the earlier interim order suspending toll collection at Paliyekkara, contending that traffic conditions had significantly improved. The interim traffic management committee submitted a status report following a court directive, stating that substantial progress had been made by NHAI in restoring service roads and improving traffic management at several points. The committee further observed that expediting the ongoing work on the main carriageway of the underpasses would provide a permanent solution and reduce dependence on diversions. Meanwhile, HC noted that a police report prepared on Sept 7, after an inspection, highlighted several issues concerning the ongoing works on the service road near the proposed Perambra underpass and the Muringoor area. The bench directed the collector to examine the police report. Accordingly, the petitions were adjourned to Wednesday.