Kochi: The demand for a temporary suspension of toll collection at Kumbalam toll plaza has gained momentum as the NH 66 stretch from Edappally to Aroor has been witnessing unprecedented traffic congestion due to the shutting down of Palarivattom flyover for repairs and the busy Vyttila and Kundanoor junctions being clogged for the construction of flyovers.
Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi, a Kochi-based independent organization, has submitted a memorandum to district collector Muhammad Y. Safirulla seeking immediate measures to stop toll collection temporarily.
"Travelling along NH 66 from Edappally to Aroor has become a nightmare as it takes one hour to one and half hour to pass the 12 kilometre stretch," said E.N. Nandakumar, chairman of the Samithi. "Vehicles have to wait long time in traffic snarls to reach the toll plaza where they have to pay Rs.55 as toll charge. Vehicles have to again wait at the plaza to pay the amount." He said the Samithi will approach the High Court seeking immediate intervention if the district collector failed to take action.
Mayor Soumini Jain said that demand for temporarily stopping toll collection is a genuine considering the difficulties caused to the commuters due to flyovers' construction. "The government can compensate the contractor for the time period when collection is stopped," she said.
CPM state secretariat member P. Rajeev said that the party is yet to discuss the matter. "Though traffic congestion along the stretch is a major issue, the legal possibilities for temporarily suspending toll collection have to be probed," he said.
Sources at NHAI told DC that there is no provision for temporarily suspending toll collection for any reasons. "The Kumbalam toll plaza is to collect toll for using the Edappally-Aroor four-lane NH 66. It has nothing to do with the flyovers,” they said.
