Air Pollution: Supreme Court Asks NHAI, MCD To Consider Shifting Or Closing 9 Toll Plazas At Delhi borders

Taking serious note of the worsening air pollution levels in Delhi NCR, the Supreme Court on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, issued a series of directions asking the National Highways Authority of India and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to urgently consider either temporarily closing or relocating toll plazas situated at the borders of the national capital to ease chronic traffic congestion.A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagch and Justice Vipul Pancholi was informed during the hearing that toll collection points operated by the MCD, including one at the Gurgaon border, were causing hours-long traffic snarls and long queues of vehicles, significantly adding to vehicular emissions. Counsel submitted that congestion at the Gurgaon toll was spilling over towards Delhi, aggravating pollution levels on both sides.Expressing strong displeasure, the CJI questioned why authorities could not take a policy decision to suspend toll collection at least till January. “Why can't the officials say that till January there will be no toll plaza?” the Chief Justice asked, adding sarcastically, "tomorrow you will start putting toll plazas inside the CP because you need money?"The CJI observed that while tolls may generate income, they also give rise to extensive litigation and administrative costs. “We do not want the income you generate, but you definitely generate a lot of litigation from these tolls,” he remarked, stressing the need for a concrete plan ensuring “absolute no toll plaza till January 31 next year.”Rejecting suggestions that complaints regarding congestion were exaggerated, the CJI said these were not mere allegations but lived realities. “These are truths. Every day people are experiencing this,” he said, noting that people were even avoiding social functions due to fear of getting stuck at toll plazas. According to the Court, vehicles were stranded primarily because of bottlenecks created at toll collection points.During the hearing, the CJI suggested a broader structural rethink, observing that instead of having toll plazas every 5 to 10 kilometres, they could be placed at intervals of 50 kilometres, which might help divert some traffic and reduce congestion near city borders.The Bench ordered the NHAI to examine the feasibility of shifting the nine toll collection booths currently operated by the MCD in Delhi to alternative locations where they could be manned by the NHAI. The Court suggested that a portion of the toll collected by the NHAI could be diverted to the MCD to compensate for the perceived revenue loss during the temporary suspension or relocation.In the meantime, the Court directed the MCD to cooperate fully and consider suspending operations at the nine toll plazas for a temporary period. The CJI directed that a decision in this regard be taken within one week and placed on record before the Court. "We have also asked the NHAI to consider the possibility of shifting the 9 toll collection booths of the MCD in Delhi at such locations which can be manned by NHAI and the part of the toll collected by it can be diverted to the MCD to compensate the percieved losss for the temporary loss. Meanwhile the DMC is directed to cooperate on the issue and consider for 9 toll plazas be suspended for a temporary period, such a decision shall be taken within 1 week and be placed on record," the bench observed in the order.Also from the hearing - Supreme Court Allows Ban Of 10-Year-Old Diesel & 15-Year-Old Petrol Vehicles Below BS-IV In Delhi NCRSupreme Court Refuses To Consider Pleas Against Suspension Of Physical Classes Upto Std 5 In Delhi Due To Air PollutionClick Here To Read/Download Order

Air Pollution: Supreme Court Asks NHAI, MCD To Consider Shifting Or Closing 9 Toll Plazas At Delhi borders

Anmol Kaur Bawa