Political parties, organisations intensify protest against toll collection at Nattika on NH66

Tension escalated at the Nattika toll plaza on National Highway 66 on Tuesday as political parties and organizations staged separate marches to demand the suspension of toll collection. Police responded with a lathicharge and water cannons, resulting in injuries to several protesters, including CPI(M) district secretary K.V. Abdul Khader.

The situation escalated when protesters attempted to breach police barriers and storm the toll plaza. Police used water cannons to push them back and subsequently arrested demonstrators. Traffic along the national highway was completely halted for hours as authorities shut the toll plaza to quell the unrest. Vehicles were stranded on the road before being rerouted via alternative paths.

The protests intensified following the suspension of toll collection twice due to widespread opposition. Collection resumed on Monday after an all-party meeting failed to reach a consensus. The decision to resume collection came despite an ongoing meeting at the Collectorate discussing the toll issue. The National Highways Authority had informed stakeholders that collection would remain suspended until an expert committee delivered its inspection report.

Protesters argued that resuming collection before the completion of key construction works, such as bridges and approach roads, was a violation of public trust. They called for the swift completion of pending projects and installation of adequate warning and directional signs to ensure road safety amid ongoing accidents.