Kerala toll collection resumes with heavy security as protesters question timing

Toll collection resumed at the Nattika facility on Saturday under heightened security arrangements as local residents and activists staged protests against the decision. The collection point, located on National Highway 66 in Kerala, had previously halted operations, prompting the state authorities to implement the restart amid heightened tensions in the region.

Opposition to the toll resumption centers on the incomplete status of key infrastructure projects along NH 66. Demonstrators argue that motorists should not be subjected to toll charges while essential road construction and improvement works continue unfinished, raising questions about the fairness of the collection timing.

Authorities deployed additional security personnel at the toll plaza to maintain order and prevent potential disruptions to traffic flow. The move reflects concerns about the intensity of public sentiment regarding the toll reintroduction and the need to ensure smooth operations at the facility.

The Nattika toll plaza has become a focal point of broader grievances surrounding highway development and maintenance in Kerala. Officials have not yet released detailed statements regarding the timeline for completing outstanding NH 66 works or addressing protester demands for a comprehensive review of the toll collection policy.