Protest by political parties stalls toll fee collection on Kollam bypass

Steps to begin toll collection on Kollam bypass had been briefly suspended on Tuesday following protests by numerous political parties.

The district administration has convened a gathering of individuals’s representatives and native residents to debate the chances, because the bypass is barely {a partially} accomplished mission. “As per the agreement signed by the State and Union governments, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has the authority to collect toll. We had intervened in earlier occasions and now we are trying to solve the issue in a way the local residents will not be burdened,” stated Kollam Collector B. Abdul Nasar.

Earlier too, the company in command of gathering toll needed to step again because it had initiated the procedures with out the permission of the State authorities or district administration. NHAI authorities had gone forward with their plans to begin toll collection in November 2020 regardless of the district administration voicing its apprehensions. Youth wings of assorted political parties had taken out protest marches to the plaza forcing police to intervene and shut the counters.

Meanwhile, Kollam Corporation authorities stated that they had no prior details about the company’s transfer. “The Corporation is against collecting toll in the middle of the pandemic and we do not support the move. We are hoping to reach a consensus in favour of the public,” stated Mayor Prasanna Earnest.

Former Public Works Minister G. Sudhakaran stated he had requested Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to keep away from toll. The State authorities additionally didn’t need to impose toll for the quantity it spent on the mission. The 13-km stretch, connecting Mevaram and Kavanad, was accomplished with ₹352 crore out of which the Centre spent ₹176 crore on a 50:50 cost-sharing foundation.

The bypass was thrown open for visitors on April 19, 2019, and the Centre had directed Kerala authorities to gather the toll fee and remit it till full realisation of the funding incurred by the Centre. According to the Centre, the State authorities is obliged to levy the toll as per the Financial Participation Agreement signed between the 2 governments on January 17, 2014.