Thrissur: A meeting called by PWD Minister G. Sudhakaran on the Paliyekkara toll plaza issue has failed to settle the matter. The activists against the toll plaza have said that the decisions lacked clarity.
The meeting held in Thiruvanathapuram on Wednesday was conducted in the presence of MLAs and ministers from Thrissur and officials of toll plaza and the NHAI. It was the first such meeting called since the Paliyekkara toll plaza was set up in 2012.
"At a meeting held with the Thrissur ADM on Sunday, it was decided that cars and other light four-wheelers would be released without collecting toll. This was to maintain the provision in the toll agreement that at a time not more than five vehicles could be kept waiting in a single lane at the plaza. But even after the meeting with the minister, there was no decision to issue an official order in this regard," DCC vice-president Joseph, who has filed several complaints to officials and Human Rights Commission over the toll issue, said.
The company collects toll for highway from Mannuthy to Edappally, but it has constructed the road only till Angamaly. Only if the NHAI gives its report, the present rate can be reduced, he noted.
Activist Joy Kaitharam told DC that the police now were not acting as per the orders of the toll company officials.
"That was the reason why they agreed to release vehicles without toll during rush hours," said Kaitharam who has three cases against him for taking part in the protests against the toll plaza.
The PWD's roads wing has given a written instruction to open up the Thalore-Manali parallel road which was blocked by the toll company. Mr Sudhakaran should act to fully open the road which was developed by using MLA fund of '1 crore, he said. Only two-wheelers can at present enter the toll way from this parallel road.
