Toll: HC asks corporation to file report

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the Kochi Corporation to file a statement on the collection of toll on the Pulleppady Railway overbridge.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice A M Shaffique issued the directive on a petition filed by Malabar Cultural Centre of Kochi against toll collection. The petitioner pointed out that, without providing necessary infrastructure along with the overbridge, authorities were collecting toll. During monsoon, the service roads become flooded. The drainage system near the bridge is not proper.

The petitioner said that, without the development of proper service roads, no toll could be collected. The Railways had completed the overbridge and the collection of toll by the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation was illegal.  The petitioner submitted that though the Pulleppady Railway overbridge was opened in June, 2010, after eight years of delay, the approach roads were not  constructed. There was a road leading from Padma junction on MG Road via Pulleppady to Thammanam junction which crosses the Kaloor-Kadavanthra road. This road has not been properly developed in tandem with the construction of the Railway overbridge. However, no steps were taken to widen roads near the bridge. The petitioner also sought a directive to corporation to build proper drains along the service roads near the bridge.

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