Guwahati, Feb. 27 -- The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to reduce toll charges on a poorly maintained section of NH-44.

The court's decision comes after it was revealed that tolls were still being collected on a stretch of the highway, despite ongoing construction work that left the road in a deteriorated state.

The bench, led by Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice M.A. Choudhary, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the Pathankot-Udhampur stretch. The court ordered NHAI to collect only 20% of the toll at Lakhanpur and Bann plazas until the highway is fully operational and in good condition for public use.

The court also took a stance on toll...