Commuters pay full toll despite HC’s 50% order

16 Dec 2020 CW Staff

The Madras High Court ordered the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to collect only half of the toll between the plazas of Maduravoyal and Walajapet due to poor road conditions of the Chennai-Bengaluru highway. Several days after the order, the commuters are still forced to pay the entire toll.

A senior official from NHAI, Chennai Regional Office said that they have not received a copy of the Madras HC. The court had said that the officials from NHAI must be ashamed of laying such roads and announced that they must collect only half the amount until December 21. The Times of India reported that on Sunday, the NHAI was collecting the full one-way fee at toll plazas near Sriperumbudur and Chennasamudram near Walajapet respectively in both cash and Fastag modes.

Tamil Nadu Truckers’ Association said that they were disappointed by NHAI for not taking the court's decision seriously. According to the data, more than Rs 133 crore was collected as toll at these two plazas every year.

Around 150,00 vehicles use this road daily. This road has also witnessed approximately 460 accidents every year. The second most dangerous junction in Chennai city with 95 deaths in three years is the Nazarathpet junction. It is a four-lane road with no sign boards or indications of accident-prone spots or road repairs.

An official from NHAI had stated that the six-laning of the stretch of land commenced in 2015, but the agreement was terminated in 2016 that arose several disputes. Rectification works are almost nearing completion at accident blackspots.

Tamil Nadu Highway Department sanctioned Rs 60 crore for road improvements in this stretch.

Also read: Chennai-Bengaluru expressway tender features

Image Source

Infrastructure Urban

07 Jul 2026

IHC and Adani to Invest US$11.5 bn in Odisha Aluminium Project

Abu Dhabi's International Holding Company (IHC) will invest US$11.5 bn in an integrated aluminium project in the eastern Indian state of Odisha in a joint venture with the Adani Group, a state official said. The official said the announcement represented the country's largest foreign investment in mining and metallurgy. Officials said the venture would span both mining and metallurgical activities across several facilities in the state. The project has been described as integrated, encompassing upstream bauxite extraction and downstream smelting and metallurgy, and is intended to develop a com..

Air India and SIAEC to Explore MRO Joint Venture in India

Air India and SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the formation of a maintenance, repair and overhaul joint venture in India. The MoU, signed on Friday, will examine collaboration to develop India as a global aviation MRO hub and to serve growing needs across the Indian and regional markets. SIA Engineering Company, part of the Singapore Airlines Group which holds a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India, will bring technical expertise alongside Air India's established airline operations network. The partnership builds on existing cooperation be..

Assam and Centre Review Aviation Projects Push Silchar Airport Approval

Assam and the Centre on Thursday, July two reviewed a series of aviation infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening air connectivity across the state, with the proposed greenfield airport at Silchar emerging as a key priority. The review formed part of broader efforts to position Assam as a major aviation and logistics hub for the north east. Officials outlined timelines and preparatory work that they said would guide the next stages of project approvals. The Chief Minister met the Union Civil Aviation Minister at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan in New Delhi and described the meeting as very productiv..