The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the recent Madras High Court order that stayed toll collection on Madurai-Tuticorin national highway.

The High Court order was issued on June 3, stating that toll cannot be collected on roads that are not properly maintained. According to the court, NHAI has a legal obligation to maintain the highways in good condition before collecting toll fees from the public.

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The court said, "It is the responsibility of the National Highways Authority of India to properly maintain the highways and then collect toll fees from road users. Instead, they are maintaining the poor condition of the highway."

The division bench of Justice S.M. Subramanian and Justice A.D. Maria Clete passed this order in view of the poor condition of the Madurai-Tuticorin road. They clarified that unless the road is maintained as per the standards of the National Highways Authority of India Act, toll collection is "unreasonable".

In response, the NHAI has filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court's direction. The matter was urgently mentioned before a division bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma on June 6 (Friday), who agreed to list the matter for hearing on June 9 (Monday).

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Now this petition will be heard by a division bench of Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Manmohan.

The high court in its order clearly stated, "Road users are entitled to a national highway in good condition and only then they have to pay toll fee."

This legal battle highlights the growing concerns of road users over poor infrastructure and accountability with regard to toll collection. The outcome of the Supreme Court hearing will now be crucial in setting a precedent on whether toll can be charged for roads that do not meet the required maintenance standards.

Case : THE GENERAL MANAGER (T) NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA VS. V.BALAKRISHNAN | SLP(C) No. 16474/2025