The Desiya Patha Samrakshana Samiti (a group formed for the protection of national highways) has slammed the move to impose what it described as a hefty toll on vehicles using Container Road—NH966A (old NH47C) between Mulavukadu and Kalamassery.
The move of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to impose toll on the 17-km stretch is anti-people, Samiti convenor Hashim Chennampilly claimed in a statement issued here on Wednesday. The toll plaza is situated at Ponnarimangalam.
NHAI has confirmed that the toll for road users will come into effect on Thursday at the rates notified through notifications in the media.
Incidentally, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and tractors used for agricultural purposes are exempted from paying toll. (See graphic for details)
The Samiti said the land for the highway was acquired for setting up a public amenity, and that a study on the project had not suggested imposition of toll on vehicles using the stretch.
The Samiti also claimed that the contracted amount for the highway was ₹525 crore, but the cost had gone up to ₹909 crore because of the alleged inefficiency of the contractor and NHAI. Consequently, the commoner is made to bear the brunt, the statement said.
Collector clarifies
Meanwhile, District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla said while the construction of Container Road was completed in 2015, toll collection could not be begun due to resistance from locals.
However, the issue was resolved during discussions involving locals, people’s representatives, and officials in July last year. The Ponnarimangalam toll plaza will, therefore, be functional from Thursday, he said.
Plaza near Varappuzha
The Samiti also said that NHAI had a plan to build another toll plaza near Varappuzha citing the 45-metre road.
The toll rates are likely to be in the range of ₹55 to ₹450, the statement said.