The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state unit in Kerala has made a significant announcement regarding toll collection in Kasaragod district. According to the party, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has decided to stop the collection of toll at the Arikady toll gate located in Kumbla, Kasaragod. This development comes after intense protests and legal scrutiny over the toll plaza's establishment.
Background of the Toll Gate Controversy
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had commenced toll collection at the Arikady toll gate along the Talapadi-Chengala stretch on January 12. This move immediately sparked strong opposition from local residents and political groups across the spectrum. Protesters argued that the toll collection violated established norms concerning the minimum distance between toll plazas.
Violation of NHAI Guidelines
Critics pointed out that the Kumbla toll gate is situated only 20 kilometers from the existing Talapadi toll plaza. According to NHAI guidelines, new toll plazas should not be established within 25 kilometers of an existing one. This proximity was seen as placing an unfair financial burden on local commuters who would have to pay tolls twice within a short distance.
Political Response and Social Media Announcements
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar took to social media platform X to announce the development. In his post, he thanked the Union MoRTH minister for what he described as "his swift intervention and decision to halt the proposed toll plaza at Arikady." Chandrasekhar emphasized that he had personally raised the issue with the Union minister, highlighting how the new toll plaza violated NHAI guidelines and created hardship for local travelers.
Former BJP state president K. Surendran also confirmed the development through his social media channels, adding weight to the party's claim about the ministry's decision.
Violent Protests and Police Action
The controversy escalated into violent protests on January 14 at Kumbla, where approximately 500 identifiable protesters were booked by Kasaragod Police. During these demonstrations, toll gate equipment including surveillance cameras and FASTag sensors were vandalized by angry protesters. The police action followed these incidents of property damage during the heated protests against the toll collection.
Implications of the Decision
If confirmed, the MoRTH decision to halt toll collection at Arikady represents a significant victory for protesters and local communities who opposed the toll gate. It also underscores the importance of adhering to NHAI guidelines regarding toll plaza spacing to prevent excessive financial burdens on commuters. The development highlights how grassroots protests combined with political advocacy can influence policy decisions at the national level.
The situation continues to evolve as stakeholders await official confirmation from the Union ministry regarding the toll collection halt. Meanwhile, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions between infrastructure development projects and community concerns in Kerala's transportation sector.
