Toll collection at the Nattika plaza on Kerala’s NH 66 has been temporarily stopped after a protest over incomplete road works turned violent, prompting Kerala PWD Minister P K Basheer to direct the Thrissur District Collector to convene a stakeholder meeting within a week.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had planned to begin collecting toll at the Nattika plaza on October 8. The decision was opposed by Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) activists, who alleged that key works on the highway stretch had not been completed.
Basheer told reporters that the service road and the approach road to the bridge were still unfinished. He said the District Police Chief and District Collector had reported that the incomplete works could lead to severe traffic blocks. Based on those reports, the state government directed NHAI to temporarily stop toll collection, he said.
“The work on the service road and approach road to the bridge has not been completed. The District Police Chief and District Collector have reported that there will be severe traffic blocks. So, we have directed NHAI to stop the collection temporarily,” Basheer said.
He added that a final decision would be taken after hearing all stakeholders. The District Collector has been instructed to call a meeting involving the concerned parties and reach a decision within a week, according to the minister.
The protest began at around 7.30 am, when Congress and Indian Union Muslim League activists marched to the toll plaza before collection was due to commence. Officials said the protesters attempted to block operations, prompting police intervention and an altercation. Police arrested and removed some protesters from the site.
More UDF leaders later gathered at the plaza, alleging that some activists had been manhandled by police. Officials said some police personnel were injured during the clash. A large police deployment was subsequently maintained at the toll plaza to prevent further violence.
The dispute has centred on whether toll collection should begin before associated access and safety works are complete. UDF leaders specifically raised concerns about the unfinished service road and pedestrian overbridges, while the minister cited reports from district authorities about the likely effect on traffic movement.
The immediate suspension places the next decision on the stakeholder meeting to be called by the District Collector. The meeting is expected to consider the status of the pending works, traffic conditions and the concerns raised by the state administration and protesters before a decision is taken on toll collection at Nattika.
