In Brief
The National Highways Authority of India appealed a High Court order requiring relocation of a toll plaza at 194 km of NH30 in the Patna-Bakhtiyarpur section. Local residents had challenged its location as violating Rule 8 of the 2008 Toll Rules. The Supreme Court held that the second proviso to Rule 8 permits toll plaza location within municipal limits if the highway section is constructed there primarily for local residents' use. The Court found that the 14 km section within Patna's limits was primarily constructed to relieve congestion for residents. Since the location was supported by detailed project report findings and commercial considerations were legitimate, the Court allowed the appeal, set aside the relocation order, and directed authorities to ensure compliance with rules on service road closures and to extend toll concessions to local residents as mandated by Rule 9."
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