Kochi: A stir by local residents is brewing at the Kumbalam toll plaza on National Highway 47 after the toll agency decided to stop the exemption of toll payment to a section of local residents.
“It’s a laid down rule that the exemption will be granted to people residing three kms around the toll plaza. However, now they are saying the exemption would be allowed only to vehicles with Ernakulam registration and those in the Kumbalam area. We’ll fight against this injustice as we are living here for decades and are now forced to face travel restrictions,” says Sudeep J Salem, a resident of Aroor.
This comes even as political outfits like the Youth Congress are planning an agitation against the agency accusing it of hiking the toll for cars and similar vehicles “silently”.
“They announced that the toll hike effected from May 11 would only be for heavy vehicles. However, they are collecting Rs 30 for a car for an up and down journey instead of Rs 25 earlier. Similarly the number of journeys upon paying the monthly concession fee has been limited to 50 which was earlier unlimited,” said Sherin Varghese, Secretary, Youth Congress.
When contacted, an NHAI official said the hike was according to NH Fee Rules, 2008. So far the toll rate was calculated as per base value fixed according to 1997 Rules.
“As per new norms, concession on toll rate will be given to all vehicles registered in Ernakulam district only. The new norms permit NHAI to hike toll rate up to 25 per cent,” he said.
