New Delhi/Srinagar, Apr 19 — The Supreme Court has stayed the Jammu & Kashmir High Court’s February 27 order which had directed an 80% reduction in toll charges at Lakhanpur and Bann toll plazas on NH-44, citing poor highway conditions.
The apex court, while hearing the appeal filed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), allowed toll collection at 75% of the standard rate as per Rule 4(9) of the National Highways Fee Rules.
The J&K High Court had previously ruled that collecting full toll on an unfinished and poorly maintained highway was unjustified and directed a steep cut in fees until construction was complete.
It also flagged violations of toll plaza spacing norms and raised concerns over unauthorized toll collection from Vaishno Devi pilgrims.
However, the Supreme Court’s interim relief to NHAI means that the agency can now continue toll collection at a reduced rate of 75%, pending further hearings in the matter.
