TrivandrumLife>> The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has begun construction of toll plaza for the Kazhakoottam-Karode national highway project. The staggered toll plaza, which would take around six months to complete, is being constructed near the Thiruvallam junction.
Though the NHAI would take six months for completion of toll plaza, it has also initiated works for construction of a temporary toll booth at the same location to start toll collection at the earliest. The temporary toll plaza will be ready within three months.
Though the measures for collection of toll are progressing, NHAI is facing hurdle in finding a bidder for toll collection. According to sources, bidders are quoting amount much lesser than the estimate. The bidders are apprehensive over the possibility of leakage of light motor vehicles through the Thiruvallam-Pachalloor-Vazhamuttam road.
The bidders are apprehensive over the possibility of leakage of light motor vehicles through the Thiruvallam-Pachalloor-Vazhamuttam road.
It is learnt that the bidders are taking into account income only from heavy vehicles which are unlikely to take the diversion route. Most other light vehicles are likely to take alternate to route to bypass the toll. Bidders fear that quoting a higher amount would end up causing loss.
The delay in finalising the estimate would also obstruct the release of notification finalising the toll rate. The rate of toll for each vehicle is finalised based on the rate quoted by the bidder.
While it began the road widening works, NHAI had identified Akkulam as an ideal spot of construction of toll plaza. However, it was opposed by district administration. The then district collector Biju Prabhakar had suggested setting up of toll booth beyond Enchakkal so that city commuters won’t feel the burden of paying tolls. Following this, Natpac was assigned to conduct a study on possible location. It suggested Chackai, Kuzhivila and Thiruvallam as ideal locations. Since around 54 metre-wide land is required for construction of toll both, land near Thiruvallam was finalised.
The toll plaza at Thiruvallam will be the single one the Kazhakoottam-Karode stretch. It is located around 18 km from Kazhakoottam, which is the starting point of the stretch. The next toll plaza will be near Nagarcoil.
Once the toll rates are finalised, the NHAI will issue passes for local commuters.
Jisha Surya is a media professional with over a decade of experience in various media houses including The New Indian Express and Times of India. She covers city infrastructure, social issues, and lifestyle stories.
