KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday prohibited the Travancore Devaswom Board and its authorities from collecting toll for movement of vehicles through all the roads leading to Pampa.A Division Bench comprising Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan and Justice C T Ravikumar gave the order while considering a report of the Sabarimala Commissioner.“The concept of toll and the eligibility of a person to collect toll are regulated by laws. There is no notification issued by any competent authority under the Tolls Act authorising TDB to collect toll. The court did not find any support of law for TDB’s decision,” the court said.However, it noted that the stay on toll would not impair the right of the TDB to collect parking fee on land belonging to it or on leased land.Devaswom Board counsel pointed out that the court had earlier directed the police to provide adequate protection to one contractor for collecting toll.The court observed that the police protection is allowed only for law and order issue and the prohibition of toll collection will stand.The court then considered the issue regarding lack of space in Sannidhanam.In January it had directed the authorities to provide more space for the pilgrims.Then the TDB had decided to demolish old cottages and ‘viri panthal’.But it has not been completed yet.The court flayed the Devaswom Board for not complying with its order on space management. The Devaswom Board submitted that of 19 shelters marked, nine had been demolished. The demolition work would be over before Sunday.
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