New Delhi, Dec. 18 -- The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to urgently consider the temporary closure or shifting of nine toll plazas at Delhi's borders to ease traffic congestion and curb rising pollution levels in the National Capital Region, making it clear that public health concerns would override revenue considerations. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed MCD to take a decision within a week on whether the toll plazas could be shut for the time being, making it clear that monetary considerations could not outweigh the larger public interest. "Why can't the officials say that till January, there will be no toll plaza?" the bench remarked. The bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, simultaneously asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to explore shifting these toll booths away from city borders. It suggested that toll collection points could be relocated to stretches managed by NHAI, with part of the toll revenue being shared with MCD to offset any temporary loss. The court was apprised of severe congestion at several entry points to Delhi, particularly at the city's border with Gurugram, where long queues of vehicles at MCD toll plazas were contributing to more emissions. The directions came on an application filed by NHAI through advocate Kartikeya Asthana, seeking removal of nine toll collection arrangements operated by MCD on national highways. The court asked the MCD to come up with a broader plan, suggesting that toll plazas could be suspended between October and December every year, with alternative mechanisms devised to recover revenue in a less disruptive manner. It also encouraged the NHAI to examine whether the toll booths could be shifted 50-60 km away from urban areas to prevent congestion at city borders. The court directed MCD to take a reasoned decision....