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The Mannuthi-Angamali stretch of National Highway 47 would be brought under toll from midnight of Tuesday, according to Mr V. K. Ebrahim Kunju, Minister for Public Works.
A meeting involving peoples' representatives from the area decided to exempt local residents from the toll, the Minister added.
Panchayats and City Corporation Divisions falling within a 10-kilometre footprint around the toll plaza at Paliakkara would be covered under the ‘no-toll' zone.
Free passes for those residing in these areas would be distributed from Sunday, the Minister said. Those wishing to avail of this facility should present themselves at the toll plaza with a copy of the registered certificate book of the vehicle in use as also a proof of their domicile.
The meeting decided that buses of educational institutions too shall be exempt, the Minister added. Two-wheelers and three-wheelers are the other two other categories which would not need to pay up.
TOLL FIXED
The toll has been fixed at Rs 525 per month for local buses plying a distance of 10 km on the national highway and Rs 1,050 for those covering a distance of 20 km.
Mr Ebrahim Kunju said the State Government would soon issue orders to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to take up work on the 28 km length of the road that needs to be provided with service road back-up.
According to the Minister, work on 12 out of the proposed 29 bus bays along the stretch has been completed. The District Collector has been asked to identify and acquire land for the rest.
The NHAI has informed him that steps are being initiated for the construction of underpasses at Chalakkudy and Puthukkad junctions.
Associated work would start within the next two months. Signalling system would be introduced till such time as it gets over with.
The State Government intends to notify the Centre about the necessity of having underpasses also at the Ashram Junction at Potta and the Karayamparambu Junction.
There is also a pending proposal for constructing a pedestrian underpass at Perambra, the Minister said, who added that a signalling system would be set up at Koratty Junction.
Among those who attended the meeting of peoples' representatives convened by the Minister include Mr P. C. Chacko and Mr K. P. Dhanapalan, Members of Parliament; Mr B. D. Devassy and Prof C. Ravindranath, MLAs; Mr P. M. Francis, District Collector; officials of the NHAI; and Mr Joseph Mathew, Chief Engineer, PWD.
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