4 hrs ago
Minister Halts Nattika Toll Collection After Violent Protest
A group of UDF activists protested at a toll plaza in Nattika.
They said some road work was not finished but tolls were about to be collected.
Police stepped in when protesters tried to block the plaza.
The protest then turned into a clash.
Some protesters were arrested, and officials said some police officers were hurt.
Kerala PWD Minister P K Basheer ordered toll collection to stop for now.
He said unfinished roads could cause serious traffic jams.
The District Collector will meet with different groups and make a decision within a week.
Kerala PWD Minister P K Basheer directed a temporary halt to toll collection at the Nattika plaza on NH 66.
The order followed a UDF protest that turned violent after police intervened at the toll plaza.
Basheer said service-road and bridge-approach work was incomplete and warned of severe traffic blocks.
NHAI had planned to begin collecting tolls at Nattika on October 8.
Police arrested some protesters, and officials said some police personnel were injured in the clash.
- Who
- Kerala PWD Minister P K Basheer, UDF protesters, police, and NHAI.
- What
- Toll collection at the Nattika plaza was temporarily halted after a protest turned violent.
- Where
- The NHAI toll plaza in Nattika, on NH 66 in Thrissur, Kerala.
- When
- The protest occurred on Thursday morning; NHAI had planned to begin toll collection on October 8.
- Why
- UDF leaders objected to toll collection before service-road and pedestrian-overbridge work was completed; Basheer cited unfinished road work and the risk of traffic blocks.
Against starting toll collection
Toll collection planned
Whether the road works are complete
Against starting toll collection
UDF leaders said toll collection began before service-road and pedestrian-overbridge work was complete; Basheer also cited unfinished service-road and bridge-approach work.
Toll collection planned
NHAI had decided to start toll collection at Nattika on October 8; the article does not state NHAI's response to the objections.
Key facts
- Toll plaza
- Nattika, on NH 66
- Planned toll start
- October 8
- Minister
- Kerala PWD Minister P K Basheer
- Protest timing
- Activists marched to the plaza at around 7:30 am
- Minister's direction
- Temporarily stop toll collection
- Next step
- The District Collector was directed to call a stakeholder meeting and reach a decision within a week
- Clash
- Some protesters were arrested; officials said some police personnel were injured
Quotes
P K Basheer
Keralam Public Works Department Minister
“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.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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