The Supreme Court has made it clear that toll tax cannot be collected from passengers on dilapidated roads. The ground reality of the Jodhpur-Pali Highway also validates this decision, where people are troubled by potholes and disarray at various places. This judgment can prove to be a major relief for travelers across the country.
Jodhpur-Pali Highway: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court upheld the Kerala High Court's decision, stating that toll tax collection is not justified until the National Highways are in proper condition. A bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran dismissed the NHAI's appeal. Following the decision, the poor condition of the Jodhpur-Pali Highway is under discussion, where passengers are facing immense difficulties due to potholes, stray animals, and lack of facilities.
Supreme Court Rejects NHAI's Argument
The bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran stated that collecting tolls from passengers is not justified until the roads are in proper condition. The court clarified that citizens already pay taxes, so they should not be forced to pay extra for traveling on potholed and dilapidated roads.
Earlier, the Kerala High Court had stayed the toll collection at the Paliakkara toll plaza in Thrissur district due to the poor condition of the road. Now, the Supreme Court has also validated that decision, stating that bad roads are a sign of administrative failure.
Reality of Jodhpur-Pali Highway Exposed
Amidst the Supreme Court's strict stance, ABP News conducted a ground report on the Jodhpur to Pali Highway. The report revealed that roads are filled with potholes in many places, there is a lack of roadside facilities, and stray animals often come onto the highway.
Vehicle drivers say that if the FASTag does not work, they are charged double the amount. This situation not only puts a burden on the passengers' pockets but also endangers their safety.
The Troubles of Vehicle Drivers
Local vehicle driver Jagdish said that there are potholes everywhere on the highway and no improvements have been made despite repeated complaints. According to him, accidents have occurred several times due to potholes.
Passengers say that when the roads themselves are not safe and well-maintained, toll collection is completely unjustified. The Supreme Court's recent decision has raised their hopes that the administration will now be forced to make improvements.
Supreme Court Order on Toll Collection
Following this order of the Supreme Court, thousands of passengers traveling on the Jodhpur-Jaipur, Jodhpur-Barmer, and Jodhpur-Nagaur highways, in addition to Jodhpur-Pali, are likely to get relief.
The court said that even a small stretch of bad highway can lengthen the journey by hours. CJI Gavai questioned how it can be justified to take a toll where it takes 12 hours to cover a distance of one hour.
