The Supreme Court on Monday remained on the order of a Madras High Court, which stopped the National Highway Authority (NHAI) from collecting tolls on the Madurai-Tuticorin highway until it was retained.
A bench of Justices PK Mishra and Manmohan issued a notice on the appeal by NHAI challenging the June 3 order of Madurai Peeth of the High Court. Turning down the request of not staying on the order, the bench said, “Let them recover now, then we can see.”
Opposing NHAI, senior advocate P Wilson, appeared for the respondents, said, “Every day the road users’ exam is that we pay tolls, but we are not able to enjoy the road. It’s day loot.”
Additional Solicitor General N Venkataraman, who appeared for NHAI, competed on it and said that thousands of passengers use it on a daily basis.
The Supreme Court asked Wilson to file a counter-beidwit and said that he would listen to the matter in detail later.
The writ petition before the High Court had earlier sought a direction for NHAI officials to take necessary action against “.
The High Court had also made it clear that “As per the standards set under the said Act after retaining the highway road in a good position, India’s National Highways Authority is on freedom to collect toll fees from road users.”
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However, NHAI argued that mediation proceedings are pending in relation to alleged violations of conditions such as planting plants, etc., the High Court did not accept the argument.
The High Court had said, “The pendency of arbitration is not a basis for rejecting the writ petition, as the National Highway Authority of India is bound to maintain highways and then, to collect toll charges from road users. Instead, they are maintaining the highway road in a bad condition.”
“Therefore, the collection of toll charges in Madurai – the tuticorin national highway is impervious and the road users are entitled to a good air -conditioned national highways and then alone they are responsible for paying the toll fee set by the concerned authority,” it said.
Highway (T) Supreme Court Madurai Highway
