Had the hike been implemented, the toll for cars would have increased from Rs 90 to Rs 100 for a single journey
Thrissur : There will be no hike in toll rates at Paliyekkara on the Mannuthy-Edappally stretch of NH 544, despite NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) issuing a notification proposing revised rates from Sept 1. A division bench comprising Justice Muhamed Mustaque and Justice Harisankar V Menon, in an order issued on Oct 17, 2025, permitted GIPL to continue collecting toll at Paliyekkara but made it clear that the firm could not collect enhanced rates without further orders from the court. Had the hike been implemented, the toll for cars would have increased from Rs 90 to Rs 100 for a single journey. Under its original agreement, GIPL is entitled to revise toll rates annually on Sept 1 based on the increase in WPI.
Officials of Guruvayur Infrastructure Pvt Ltd (GIPL), which is authorised to collect toll at Paliyekkara, said the firm had decided not to implement the increase in compliance with an earlier order of the high court. GIPL officials said the rates could be revised only if HC modified its order. GIPL officials said the notification was a routine announcement and did not authorise the firm to raise rates in view of the existing court order. Tajet said his party would launch a protest if GIPL increased the toll. Officials said GIPL was not concerned about the delay in revising rates as it expected NHAI to compensate its revenue loss. “We have not approached the court seeking a revision of the order as NHAI must take that step,” said a GIPL official.
The toll for other categories would also have risen. The petitioners included DCC president Joseph Tajet. The court subsequently lifted the stay and allowed GIPL to resume toll collection, while retaining the restriction on collecting enhanced rates.
It did not implement the hike last year following the court’s order. HC had earlier suspended toll collection at Paliyekkara after a petition claimed that GIPL was collecting toll without providing the services it had charged for. On Sunday, NHAI issued a notification announcing revised toll rates from Tuesday.