Toll collection has resumed at Nattika on the Kapirikkad–Kodungallur stretch of NH 66 in Thrissur, despite protests over incomplete road construction and the failure of an all-party meeting to reach a consensus on the issue.
Collection restarted on Monday after a meeting convened by the district collector on the directive of the PWD minister failed to resolve the dispute. UDF and LDF functionaries boycotted the meeting, alleging that toll collection had resumed while discussions were still under way at the collectorate.
Motorists were caught off guard by the latest restart because neither the state government nor the National Highways Authority of India issued prior official communication explaining the decision. The absence of a public notice has added to uncertainty for road users travelling through the toll point.
Toll collection at Nattika was first suspended within hours of its launch last Thursday following protests by various sections. Protesters alleged that construction work on the road remained incomplete, making the commencement of tolling unacceptable to them.
Collection resumed again on Saturday but was suspended a day later following fresh protests. Monday’s restart is the third reported change in toll operations since the initial launch, with each change taking place amid public opposition and political disagreement.
The Kapirikkad–Kodungallur stretch forms part of NH 66, a major highway corridor in Kerala. The dispute has therefore brought together questions about the operational status of the road, the timing of user-fee collection and the responsibilities of the agencies overseeing the highway.
The district administration attempted to address the issue through the all-party meeting, but the boycott by UDF and LDF representatives prevented a consensus. Their stated objection was linked to the timing of toll collection and the condition of the road construction work.
The repeated suspension and resumption of tolling has left motorists without a consistent public position on whether fees will be collected when they reach the Nattika toll point. The report did not contain an official statement from the state government or NHAI explaining the latest decision, the status of the construction work or the conditions governing toll collection.
For road users, the immediate issue is whether tolling will continue and what notice will be provided if the arrangement changes again. The next formal clarification is expected from the state government or NHAI, which have not yet issued an official communication on the repeated commencement and suspension of collection.
