Akkulam bridge: A telling toll tale

Though the authorities had redeemed the expenses, the toll centre is 'illegally' collecting fee from the motorists.
Akkulam bridge: A telling toll tale
Updated on
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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Union Government had decided to end toll collection on roads in the country which had been made with investments of up to Rs 100 crore last year. But the toll collection for  the old Akkulam bridge at Kazhakootam-Mukkola  NH bypass is still on.

Though the authorities had redeemed the expenses incurred on the bridge, the toll centre is still 'illegally' collecting fee from the motorists, sources said.

The toll collection is on under the aegis of PWD(NH) wing of the state government. The  government began the collecting toll soon after the construction of Akkulam bridge in 2002.

"The staff at the booth is collecting money even after the Union Government's directive. When we asked them, they said that they have not received any formal information or order to stop collection," a RTI activist said. The toll booth also is an obstacle to the development of under construction NH bypass, sources added.

The government had entrusted National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) to come up with three new locations on the Bypass to set up a new toll plaza after razing down the existing one. However, they are yet to arrive at a location.

NHAI awaiting government's call

Speaking to 'T'Puram Express', a top NHAI official said  that the contractor KNR constructions is waiting to develop the spot where the toll booth is currently located.

"It is the job of the PWD to demolish the existing structure. In fact, we were informed that the toll booth would be razed in August. However, it did not take place. So we left that portion of the stretch untouched," the official said.

He also added that the survey of the new toll plaza is underway. It will be constructed  most likely between Venpalavattom and Chakkai railway overbridge. However, he said that the final decision on the location will be taken within two months.

Relocation of the toll booth was necessitated after Lulu group decided to construct a mall beside the road.  Meanwhile, when contacted , K P Prabhakaran, Chief Engineer, PWD(NH wing) said that PWD had sent a draft regarding closure of the toll booth to the Union government in August itself.

"Toll collection can only be stopped once we receive a  formal order from the Ministry of Road, Transport and  Highways. We have done the job from our side. We will close the toll booth once the order from the Centre comes," he said.

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