Get ready to pay toll from June 11

KOCHI: Despite protests, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to start toll collection along the Aroor-Edappally stretch from Saturday. As the NHAI has already declared that it will introduce 'perpetual toll' along the stretch, there will not be any stipulated period for ending the toll collection.Single journey, multiple passes and monthly passes will be issued to vehicles belonging to various categories. "We are introducing toll collection on a trial basis. Based on the vehicle population and other factors, we will work out a proposal for inviting tenders for toll collection," said C T Abraham, project director, NHAI. The toll collection will start along the 16.5-km stretch between Edappally and Aroor. The toll plaza set up by the NHAI in Kumbalam will be the single collection point. Those residing in the nearby areas will be given concessions, Abraham said. The concession will be given only to cars. They will be divided into two categories. The first category, those residing within the 10-km diametre of the toll plaza, will have to give a monthly rate of Rs 150 while those residing within 10-20 km diametre will have to pay Rs 300. The locals have already started agitation to exempt them from toll collection. About 20 organisations under the aegis of the National Highway Protection Council have decided to start agitation against the toll collection. "We will start indefinite strike against the unjust toll collection.""The National Highway Protection Council will organise a protest march to the toll plaza in Kumbalam on Saturday," said Hashim Chennampilly of NH Protection Council. "We are paying vehicle taxes, registration fees and cess. Besides, the government charges 49 percent tax on fuel. So collecting toll is deplorable," Hashim said."The authorities are putting the local people to untold misery. These people are paying toll for passing through the Aroor bridge for the last 25 years," he said.