Aroor toll collection resumes

Kochi, Sunday, July 17, 2011: The collection of toll from motorists using the Aroor-Edapally national highway bypass has been resumed from Sunday morning.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had earlier stopped collecting toll at the Aroor-Edappally stretch of the NH-47 bypass after protests from social organisations and political parties. The protesters alleged that the NHAI is collecting the toll without building flyovers and foot-overbridges or subways on the four congested junctions in the 16.5 km stretch.

The NHAI has introduced ‘perpetual toll’ along the 16.5 km stretch from Aroor to Edappally on its newly constructed four-lane road. The authority has entrusted a company to collect toll. The fares are Rs 15 for cars for single journey; Rs 25 for mini bus; Rs 50 for buses and lorry; and Rs 80 for heavy vehicles.

The NHAI had also proposed to collect a monthly toll of Rs 150 for users residing in a 10 km radius of the toll plaza. Those residing in a 10-20-km radius will have to pay a monthly toll of Rs 300.