Lok Sabha Question No. 3315 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-12
Subject: Toll Collection on NH-66 in Kerala
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3315 ANSWERED ON 12 TH  MARCH, 2026

## TOLL COLLECTION ON NH-66 IN KERALA

## 3315.  SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  received  reports  of  structural  failures including sinking service roads and cracked main carriageways on the newly opened Thalassery Mahe Bypass and the Chengala Neeleshwaram stretches of National Highway (NH)-66;
- (b)  if  so,  the  justification  for  allowing  the  National  Highways  Authority  of India  (NHAI)  to  continue  toll  collection  at  plazas  such  as  Kollassery  and Arikady when the road infrastructure fails to meet the prescribed safety and quality standards;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  Kerala  High  Court  ruling  of August  2025  that  toll  collection  is  contingent  upon  provision  of  motorable and safe roads;
- (d) whether any audit has been conducted to verify if these stretches meet the  "quid  pro  quo"  principle  of  service-based  tolling  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  would  consider  immediate  suspension  of  toll fees on these affected stretches until the debarred contractors complete the necessary rectification works and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a)  In  respect  of  Thalassery-Mahe  Bypass  (18.6  Km),  after  completion  and opening of the stretch to traffic in  March 2024, no structural failures  have been observed.

In  respect  of  Chengala-Neeleshwaram  stretch,  the  project  is  under construction and about 86% progress has been achieved. During construction, cracks observed on Dense Bituminous Macadam (DBM) layer, were  rectified  by  Concessionaire  at  his  own  cost.  Further,  scouring  of  a portion of the Service Road occurred at one location due to non-continuity of the drain, and the same has also been rectified by Concessionaire at his own cost.

(b)  User  fee  collection  on  National  Highways  is  carried  out  in  accordance with the applicable policy of the Government of India and the provisions of the Concession Agreement. The details are as follows:

(i)       Arikkady  Fee Plaza: It was established as a temporary fee plaza for the completed stretch from Talappady to Chengala stretch, having a length  of  approximately  39  km.  User  fee  collection  at  Arikkady  Fee Plaza has been suspended with effect from 04.02.2026.

(ii)    Thiruvangad Fee Plaza: It has been established for the completed stretch  of  Thalassery-Mahe  Bypass.  The  project  stretch  has  been opened to traffic and user fee collection is in progress from 11.03.2024.

(c)  &  (d)  Prior  to  issuance  of  the  Provisional  Completion  Certificate  and opening of the completed stretch to traffic, quality tests and safety audit are mandatory.  These  are  conducted  through  the  Independent  Engineer  and Supervision Consultant, in accordance with the provisions of the Concession Agreement and guidelines issued from time to time.

(e) Defects noticed on ongoing construction stretches of NH-66, where works are  still  in  progress,  where  tolling  has  not  commenced  are  rectified  at  the cost of concessionaire before issue of provisional certificate of completion and  commencement  of  tolling.   Defects  noticed  on  sections  of  NH-66 presently  under  tolling  are  rectified  immediately  in  terms  of  contractual provisions.

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