THRISSUR: PWD Minister G Sudhakaran has opposed the Paliyekkara toll collection company’s decision to stop issuing free passes to local residents, citing the toll collection has been made digital. “We have expressed our displeasure to the NHAI about digitisation of toll collection without discussing with the state government,” he said.
As per the agreement between the toll collection company and the state government, the company must issue free passes to local residents living within a 10 km radius of the Paliyekkata toll plaza. However, the company stopped issuing passes citing the toll collection has gone digital. The company also claimed that the government is yet to pay over `70 crore for passes issued so far.In response, the minister said the department would pay the entire amount to the company.