The previous hike was in April last year.
Kochi: Residents and motorists are fuming at the hike of the toll on Aroor-Edappally NH for the third straight year. They say "frequent increases" in tariff were without taking measures to decongest the toll plaza during peak hours. "They go on increasing the toll even as the promise to set up additional lanes to decongest the plaza is yet to realise. Now, much time of commuters get lost waiting in the queue during peak hours," said Sherin Varghese, Youth Congress state secretary.
However, the NHAI-appointed toll collection agency termed the hike "as per the gazette notification" and "routine procedure based on wholesale price index". "Currently there are four lanes each for vehicle passage in both directions. Concerning additional lane, the main hurdle is land acquisition. The residents are not willing to part with land. There will be no delay on our part if the land is handed over. We also plan to build a toilet complex there," said Sahadevan Nambiar, chief executive officer, Kochi-Aroor Tollways Pvt Ltd.
"An electronic toll collection facility is available here, and vehicles availing of it will have zero waiting time. Also for vehicles of residents (within 20 km), we're issuing a monthly pass (of Rs 255)." While entry charge for light commercial vehicles went up to Rs 30 for single way passage, that of truck/ bus was increased by Rs 10. The previous hike was in April last year.
