KOCHI: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has agreed to roll back the decision to start toll collection at Container Road until a service road is constructed.
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by district collector M. G Rajamanickam on Thursday. The NHAI project director C. T Abraham has agreed to take up the service road construction and to stop collecting toll until the new road is built.
However, construction of the toll plaza will be carried out as per the plans. The service road will be useful for residents of Moolampilly and Mulavukadu.
Public protest has been mounting over the proposed toll collection and the construction of toll plaza at Ponnarimangalam was obstructed by political parties and other organisations.During the meeting it was decided to entrust KITCO with the DPR preparation of the service road.
KITCO official has agreed to submit the report in 15 days. The new service road from Bolgatty to Kattathy with a width of 60 metres will be parallel to the earlier proposed coastal road. The district collector will monitor the road construction regularly.
People’s representatives have alleged that NHAI officials have unilaterally decided to start toll collection without ensuring the rights of the displaced. S. Sarma MLA has instructed that toll collection shouldn’t be started ignoring the people’s apprehensions and demands.
Officials of Cochin Port Trust, KITCO, police and people’s groups were also in attendance.
