Toll Evasion Prohibition: Madras High Court Restricts TNSTC Buses from Operating at 4 Toll Booths on National Highway
**Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) Buses Barred from Four National Highway Toll Plazas**
In a significant move to enforce toll fee compliance, the Madras High Court has ordered a restriction on TNSTC buses from using four National Highway toll plazas due to non-payment of toll fees amounting to ₹276 crores.
The four toll operators - Madurai-Kanniyakumari Tollway Private Limited, Kanniyakumari-Etturavattam Tollway Private Limited, Salaipudur-Madurai Tollway Private Limited, and Nanguneri-Kanniyakumari Tollway Private Limited - had petitioned the Court, citing losses caused by TNSTC buses using highways without paying tolls.
The Court highlighted violations of the 2000 Rules concerning vehicles running without FASTags as a key issue. Despite earlier partial payments of ₹48.5 crores, an amount of ₹113 crores remains unpaid even after excluding penalty and interest.
The Court proceeded to order that from July 10, 2025, TNSTC buses shall be barred from passing through the four specified toll plazas. The petitioners were directed to enforce this restriction by preventing TNSTC buses from passing through their toll plazas.
The Court's move reflects serious enforcement of toll fee compliance against government transport entities. The TNSTC has not made any meaningful efforts to resolve the outstanding dues despite repeated warnings from the Court in earlier orders.
The Court's order emphasizes the judiciary's firm stance on toll fee payments and adherence to regulations by even state-run transport services. The restriction will remain in force until TNSTC presents a feasible plan for clearing the dues.
Additional Government Pleader LSM Hasan Fizal and Advocate SU Srinivasan represented the respondents, while Senior Advocate Satish Parasaran and Advocate Karthik Sundaram represented the petitioners in court.
This development underscores the importance of toll fee compliance and adherence to regulations in the operation of state-run transport services. The Court's decision serves as a reminder to all parties involved to uphold their responsibilities and obligations in order to ensure smooth and efficient transportation services on National Highways.
| Aspect | Details | |--------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | Amount Due | ₹276 crores (including penalty and interest) | | Toll Plazas Involved | Four toll plazas on National Highways in Tamil Nadu | | Effective Date of Restriction | July 10, 2025 | | Reason for Court Order | Non-payment of toll fees, violation of FASTag Rules | | Outcome | TNSTC buses barred from passing through affected tolls |
- The court's decision to bar TNSTC buses from four National Highway toll plazas due to non-payment of toll fees is indicative of the ongoing politics surrounding policy-and-legislation in general-news related to toll fee compliance and state-run transport services.
- The Madras High Court's firm stance on toll fee payments and adherence to regulations, as shown by the barring of TNSTC buses from certain toll plazas, can be considered a significant event in the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, affecting the entire transportation sector on National Highways.
