Protest intensifies against toll collection at Kumbala-Arikkady toll plaza

An indefinite protest against toll collection at the controversial Kumbala–Arikkady toll plaza on National Highway 66 intensified on Tuesday (January 13) under the leadership of Manjeswaram MLA A.K.M. Ashraf, even as the district administration exempted private buses from paying toll charges.

Large numbers of protesters gathered at the toll plaza, announcing an indefinite agitation demanding the immediate suspension of toll collection. Following the announcement, a heavy police deployment was arranged at the site. Tensions flared briefly ahead of the protest after a verbal altercation broke out between demonstrators and toll plaza officials, prompting police intervention to prevent escalation.

The agitation continued under a temporary shelter erected near the plaza. Earlier in the day, the MLA had led a blockade to stop toll collection, during which he and several protesters were arrested and removed by the police. Despite the protest, toll collection continued at the plaza.

The protesters alleged that the toll plaza violates the mandatory norm requiring a minimum distance of 60 km between two toll plazas. They pointed out that the Talapady toll plaza in neighbouring Karnataka is located barely 22 km from Arikkady, forcing commuters travelling between Kasaragod and Mangaluru to pay toll twice within a short distance.

An action committee formed against the toll plaza had earlier secured a stay from the High Court. Though the Single Bench later ruled in favour of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Division Bench directed the matter to be reconsidered by the Single Bench after an appeal. Meanwhile, in November last year, NHAI’s counsel had informed the court that toll collection at Arikkady would not commence as Central government approval had not been obtained. The action committee now alleges that toll collection has begun in violation of this assurance and is preparing to file a contempt of court petition.

Leaders of the protest said the agitation would be intensified and continued until toll collection is halted, asserting that the protest is aimed at protecting the public’s right to travel. The protest was inaugurated by Uduma MLA N.A. Nellikunnu, with Kumbala panchayat president Abdul Khader presiding.

Meanwhile, private buses were exempted from toll payment after the bus owners’ association held discussions with the District Collector, who directed that toll should not be collected from buses providing public transport services. The order stipulates that buses must use the service road, and the NHAI has warned of a ₹75,000 fine if buses ply on the main highway

However, bus operators pointed out that a service road is unavailable near the toll plaza due to the presence of a bridge. They said buses were being charged ₹540 for a round trip of just 1.5 km, amounting to nearly ₹3,780 per day for up to six trips. Following the Collector’s intervention, toll collected earlier from some buses will be refunded, a bus owners’ representative said.