TrivandrumLife>> After witnessing a series of intense protests for over 47 days, the National Highway Authority of India will finally start toll collection for the Kazhakoottam-Mukkola national highway from 8 am on October 2. The decision was taken following a meeting with officials of NHAI, contractor in charge of toll collection, and various political parties at the office of education minister V Sivankutty on Friday. Minister Sivankutty and district collector Navjyot Khosa attended the meeting.
One of the crucial decisions at the meeting was to allow free pass to people living within 10 km from the toll plaza. According to contractors in charge of toll collection, people living within the stretch of 9 km towards Kovalam side and 1 km towards Kazhakoottam side can avail the facility.
The NHAI officials also agreed to address concerns such as stagnation of water near the toll plaza and proposal for construction of a service bridge across Thiruvallam stream. “The construction of drainage has started to resolve the issue of waterlogging. We have also begun steps to prepare an estimate for construction of a service bridge at Thiruvallam. If the Union Government approves the estimate, we could go ahead with the work,” sources in NHAI said. Construction of a service road near Kovalam junction too is under consideration.
The NHAI has spent around Rs 904 crore alonge for the Kazhakoottam-Mukkola project so far. Currently the NHAI has started collection of toll for the first phase from Kazhakoottam to Mukkola, where the work has completed. For this, one-way trip for light motor vehicles will cost Rs 70. According to sources, NHAI will revise the rate once the entire stretch is completed.
