Toll Collection on Incomplete NH 66 Sparks Protest at Nattika

Thrissur: A people's committee staged a protest at the Nattika toll plaza on National Highway 66 against the commencement of toll collection. Protesters blockaded the toll booths. Tension prevailed as police and protesters pushed and jostled with each other while the police attempted to forcibly remove the protesters from the spot. Police used water cannons to disperse them.

The protest was against the move to collect toll without completing the construction of the national highway. Earlier, the CPI(M) Nattika area committee had also led a protest march to the toll plaza. Several people have died in accidents allegedly due to deficiencies in the highway, and protests had also been raised against construction-related shortcomings.

Construction work on the national highway has been progressing slowly for the past few months. Amid this, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) authorities have announced that toll collection will begin at Nattika on Thursday, adding to the difficulties faced by commuters.

Road construction has not been completed on the stretch from Chavakkad to Kaipamangalam. Construction of the Chetuva bridge is still under way. There has been no progress in the construction of the flyover at Wadanappally. Directional signage is missing at several locations, while streetlights have not been fully installed.

The protesters demanded that the NHAI withdraw its decision to collect toll before completing the construction work.