With the deterioration of air quality touching alarming proportions in the national capital and regions surrounding it, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to urgently consider temporarily shutting down or relocating toll plazas located at Delhi’s borders to reduce traffic congestion and vehicular emissions.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi was informed that toll collection points operated by the MCD — particularly at the Gurgaon border — were causing severe traffic jams, with vehicles queued for hours. The congestion, counsel submitted, was spilling over into Delhi and significantly contributing to pollution on both sides of the border.
The Chief Justice questioned why authorities could not suspend toll collection at least till January. “Why can’t officials decide that there will be no toll plaza till January,” he asked, adding pointedly that revenue considerations could not override public health. “Tomorrow you may start putting toll plazas inside Connaught Place because you need money,” he remarked.
The CJI observed that toll plazas, meant for collecting tolls, were becoming bottlenecks. He noted that apart from congestion, toll collection also resulted in avoidable litigation and administrative burden. “We are not interested in the income generated, but these tolls certainly generate litigation,” he said, emphasising the need for “absolute suspension till January 31.”
Rejecting suggestions that the concerns were overstated, the Bench said the difficulties faced by commuters were real and experienced daily. The Court noted that people were even avoiding social engagements for fear of being stuck at toll booths.
The Bench asked the NHAI to explore relocating the nine MCD-operated toll plazas to alternative sites where they could be managed by NHAI, with a portion of the toll revenue shared with the civic body to offset losses. In the interim, the MCD was directed to cooperate and consider suspending toll operations temporarily.
The Court directed that a decision be taken within a week and placed before it on record.