Kerala High Court Asks NHAI To Produce Contractual Timeline For NH-544 Work After Reports Of Delay In Construction

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday (02 December) directed the National Highways Authority of India to report the time period prescribed in its agreement with the Contractor for the completion of National Highway stretch in NH-544. 

The division bench comprising Justice A Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Harisankar V Menon were considering the writ petition regarding traffic congestion on NH-544.

Previously, toll collection was suspended on Paliyekkara plaza on the NH-544, following a 12-hour blockade purportedly due to ongoing construction projects sanctioned by NHAI. The suspension, which was extended by subsequent orders was finally lifted on October 17, after recording the assurance of the Additional Solicitor General that the safety concerns would be resolved without any delay.

An Interim Traffic Management Committee was then constituted to devise an interim traffic management plan on the congested stretch.

Previously District Collector had raised safety concerns including the concerns due to deep excavation in the stretch. The Court has thus directed NHAI to ensure that the road safety issues, pointed out by the Interim Committee constituted by it, are addressed in a time bound manner and to report compliance to the Committee.

Today, when the matter was taken up, the District Collector who was present online submitted that there was insufficient lighting and there is a lack of hazard sign in the stretch.

It was also submitted that the initial work of the stretch had started in September 2024, and even after more than one year has passed, the construction remains in the initial stage itself. The Court thus directed NHAI submit the time frame mentioned in the contract with the contractor by the next posting date. 

A report of the Interim traffic Management Committee was also placed on record today which mentioned the lack of traffic guards in Koratty junction. 

Additional Solicitor General of India, who was present online during the hearing submitted that 16 guards have been deployed and they have requested the government to deploy 50 more. It was further submitted that necessary actions have been taken in this regard. 

The Court has also directed the NHAI to ensure the compliance with the report of the Interim Traffic Management Committee with regard to the safety concerns raised. 

The matter is posted on next Tuesday for further consideration. 

Case Title - Shaji J Kodankadath v Union of India and connected cases

Case No - WP(C) 20253/2021 and connected cases

Counsel for Petitioners - K B Gangesh, Smitha Chathanarambath, Amal S Kumar, Athira A Menon, John Varghese, V Praveen, Sonu Augustine, Premchand M, Sreelakshmi Sabu, P K Subhash, Anoop V Nair, Tanoosha Paul

Counsel for Respondents - O M Shalina (DSG), Nanavati Maulik G, Arun Thomas, Jennis Stephen, Anil Sebastian Pulickel, P Martin Jose, P Prijith, Thomas P Kurivila, Ajay Ben Jose, Manjunath Menon, Hani P Nair, R Githesh, Sachin Jacob Ambat, Anna Lind Eden, Harikrishnan S, Mathews K Philip, T C Krishna, C Dinesh, B G Bidan Chandran, Mathews Nevin Thomas, Kurian Antony Mathew, R Githesh, Sachin Jacob Ambat, N Manoj Kumar (State Attorney), C Harikumar, Sandra Sunny, Arun Kumar M A, Farah Jyothi Pradeep, Anavadya Sanil Kumar, Anjali Krishna

Click Here To Read/ Download Interim Order