THRISSUR: The hartal announced by various political parties against levying toll at Paliakkara in Puthukkad turned violent on Monday. Five activists of the CPI(ML) were injured in a lathicharge following partial destruction of the toll plaza.Expecting obstruction, the authorities had organised a modest inaugural ceremony by collecting toll from the construction contractor of the plaza. The hartal was declared on Sunday night, and by midnight, a vast crowd of political activists from the CPM, CPI, Congress and the BJP gathered in front of the plaza, demanding suspension of the toll.The sit-in strike lasted hours following which, MLA C Raveendranath had a discussion with the Chief Minister over phone. Finally, around 7 on Monday morning, it was decided that toll collection be stopped till a meeting of local public representatives is convened in the presence of the Chief Minister.But, activists of CPI(ML) tried to demolish the toll booth. The plaza was considerably damaged. A team of policemen, under Kodakara Circle Inspector M Gangadharan, had to use force to stop them. Five activists were hurt and removed to the hospital. The decision to impose toll on two-wheelers and autorickshaws had come under fire and consequently withdrawn. Car owners living within 10 km radius of the toll were offered unlimited use for a monthly charge of `150. Those within 20 km radius of the toll plaza could pay `300, much like the railway season ticket.NHAI project director G Ramanathan had also discussed the issue of revising the monthly rate for school buses, which is `1,000, and commercial vehicles and light commercial vehicles within 20 km diameter of the toll plaza, which is `2,905. Car, jeep and passenger van will have to pay `55 for a single journey while it will cost `85 for multiple pass. Monthly pass for these vehicles will cost `1,660. Ramanathan told ‘Express’ that the issue was already under discussion and further revision was being considered.
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