Heavy toll for Malayalees, Rs 6,000 for a Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram car trip

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Once the construction of National Highway 66 is completed, one will have to pay around Rs 6,000 in tolls for a trip by car from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram. According to 2024 figures, the toll for travelling from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram was Rs 1,650. There were 11 toll plazas at the time. According to information from NH authorities, the total toll could rise to around Rs 3,000, in addition to the construction of two more toll plazas.

This means that a car travelling in both directions could have to pay more than Rs 6,000 in tolls. Toll booths are generally located at intervals of around 60 kilometres. However, this may vary depending on the construction method and individual road stretches. If the route includes elevated roads, viaducts or tunnels, the toll could increase further. In such cases, charges may be up to ten times the normal rate.

Toll hike at Paliyekkara

Guruvayur Infrastructure Company has increased toll rates at the Paliyekkara toll plaza, with hikes ranging from Rs 5 to Rs 65. The revised one-way rates are Rs 100 for cars, Rs 170 for light commercial vehicles and Rs 345 for buses. The toll has increased by Rs 10 for cars and commercial vehicles and by Rs 25 for buses and trucks. The hike has been approved by the National Highways Authority.

For multi-axle vehicles, the one-way toll has been fixed at Rs 550, an increase of Rs 35 from the existing rate. The charge for multiple trips will be Rs 825, compared with the previous Rs 775. The high court had ordered last year that toll rates should not be increased without addressing traffic congestion. Therefore, it has been indicated that the revised rates will come into effect only in accordance with the high court's directions.

The toll rates are expected to be revised in September based on the basic toll rate and the country's Wholesale Price Index (WPI). Presently, toll collection is being carried out according to the rates applicable in 2024.