TEA asks NHAI to cut toll at Karumathampatti

Tirupur Exporters’ Association (TEA) has urged the National Highways Authority of India to reduce the toll fee collected at Karumathampatti in Coimbatore district.

Hailing the completion of the six-lane road from Chengapalli to Neelambur (NH 47), TEA President A Sakthivel said, “smooth travel through this stretch is now possible, but we are shocked to note that IVRCL Chengapalli Tollways Limited, Karumathampatti, is collecting toll fee of ₹80 for cars (one-way trip). The fee is far too high compared to the toll fee collected in other toll gates.

“It is a huge pinch on the pocket of regular users of this stretch,” he said in a communication to Raghav Chandra, Chairman, National Highways Authority of India, requesting him to halve the fee.

Sakthivel also drew the attention of the NHAI Chairman to the poor condition of the by-pass road between Neelambur on the Salem side of NH 47 in Tamil Nadu and Madukkarai on Palghat side in Kerala

“The Coimbatore Bypass was the first road project to be implemented in South India on BOT (build, operate and transfer) basis. It became operational from mid-January, 2000.

“A toll-fee is collected in this L&T Bypass road — a PPP initiative — but bad maintenance of the road is resulting in traffic congestion and undue delay in vehicle movement on this stretch,” he said.