India, Oct. 15 -- The Kerala High Court on Wednesday declined to stay toll collection at the Nattika plaza on National Highway 66 after the NHAI and the Centre submitted that the fee was being collected only for the completed portion of the road.

Counsel for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways told a bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M that 51 km of the 60-km Kappirikkad-Kodungallur stretch in Thrissur district had been completed.

"Only one flyover and two viaducts remain to be completed. The toll is being collected only for the completed portion," the counsel said.

He submitted that toll collection should begin within 45 days of the issu...