Locals exempted from paying toll on NH 47

KOCHI: Public Works Minister V K Ebrahim Kunj has said that people living in panchayats and corporation divisions within 10-km radius of the Paliakkara toll plaza on the Angamaly-Mannuthi stretch of the NH 47 have been exempted from toll. The minister said that vehicles of educational institutions and two and three-wheelers have also been exempted from paying toll. The toll for a local bus travelling 10 km on the NH is Rs 525 per month and it is Rs 1,050 for buses which travel 20 km.The decisions were taken at a meeting, chaired by the minister which was attended by peoples representatives, held on Saturday in Aluva. “The passes for those who live within ten km of the toll plaza will be distributed from Monday. Passes can be obtained from the toll plaza by producing copies of RC book and address proof,” he said.  The minister further said that instruction would be given to the National Highways Authority of India  (NHAI) for constructing service roads on a stretch of 28 km. “Of the total 29 bus bays suggested in the project 12 have been constructed and the Thrissur District Collector has been directed to complete the land acquisition for the remaining 17, he said. The NHAI authorities said that steps have been taken to construct underpasses at Puthukkad and Chalakkudy Junctions and work would be started in two months.