Chief Justice of India, Justice B.R. Gavai, drew a sharp comparison between Delhi and Kerala while hearing a plea filed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding toll collection on a damaged stretch of National Highway 544 in Thrissur.

During the proceedings, CJI Gavai remarked that “the entire national capital comes to a standstill if it rains for just two hours,” pointing to the broader issue of infrastructure inefficiency.

The case stems from a Kerala High Court order that halted toll collection at the Paliyekkara plaza due to the highway’s deteriorated condition. The NHAI, along with its concessionaire Guruvayoor Infrastructure, challenged the order before the Supreme Court.

The bench, comprising CJI Gavai and Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria, questioned the logic of charging users when road quality was so poor that a journey expected to take one hour stretched to twelve.

“Why should someone pay ₹150 if the road forces them to spend 12 hours instead of one? If the travel time multiplies eleven-fold, is it fair to demand toll?” the CJI asked.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the apex court reserved its verdict on the matter.