Thiruvananthapuram: After facing protests from residents and political parties alike, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on Tuesday agreed to provide free pass to motorists residing within five km radius of the new toll plaza at Vengara near Thiruvallam on the Kazhakootam-Karode national highway. The decision was taken after two back-to-back meetings conducted by the NHAI officials with the protestors on Tuesday evening.
On Tuesday morning there were huge protests at the toll plaza after the NHAI started collecting the toll from 8 am onwards. While Rs 70 was charged from light motor vehicles with FASTag, Rs 140 was levied from those without the FASTag. This soon made way for huge protests in which local leaders from all major political fronts joined. Kovalam MLA M Vincent also turned up for the protests following which the NHAI officials decided to hold talks with the protesters.
The first round of discussions was held at around 4pm and concluded without finding any resolve.
During the second round of the meeting, which started around 7pm and went on for over an hour, the NHAI project director held talks with the authorities of the construction firm that carried out the works of the highway bypass and put forward a suggestion that free passes can be granted to residents within five-km radius of the toll plaza. This comprises residents of eight villages. To avail the free pass, the motorists have to produce the registration certificate of the vehicle or residency proof, including voters’ ID card or driving license.
“The ultimate objective of NMP is to enable accelerated infrastructure creation and modernisation of services for a multiplier impact on the economy.”