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• The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been asked to temporarily stop collection of toll from vehicles using the Mannuthy-Angamaly stretch on NH 47.The decision was taken here on Saturday following a discussion chaired by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. The NHAI had to desist from collecting toll from December 5 when it was introduced, following overwhelming protests from motorists and an attack on its toll booth in Paliakkara, Thrissur.Taking into account a host of complaints from members of the public about the toll rates and the condition of the service roads, street lights, signal lights, sign boards, road markings underpasses and overbridges, Mr. Chandy directed the chief engineer of PWD (NH) C. Joseph Mathew to inspect whether the NHAI had readied all the amenities mentioned in the toll agreement.
• He has been asked to submit a report in two days' time.Mr. Chandy promised to look into people's concerns on the toll collection. Representatives of the organisations protesting against the toll told him about how motorists crossing the toll booth and travelling only a kilometre further had to pay the full toll amount, whereas those who travelled the whole distance up to near the toll booth and took a diversion to the side did not have to pay any toll.They spoke about how the NHAI had begun collecting unprecedented amounts as toll, without readying most of the amenities that it promised in the agreement.Those who participated in the discussion include Minister for Public Works V.K. Ebrahim Kunju, MLAs from Thrissur and Thrissur District Collector P M Francis.

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