New change from next month onwards; Toll rate hiked in Paliyekkara, to be charged Rs 5-10 more on one way

KOCHI: A higher rate will be charged when the toll collection in Paliyekkara, suspended by the Kerala High Court, starts. The toll rate will increase by Rs 5 to 10 from September 10. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has given permission to the contracted company Guruvayur Infrastructure Private Ltd (GIPL) to charge higher rate when the toll collection in Paliyekkara resumes.

There will be a hike of Rs 5 to 10 for single trip. Cars going one way used to pay Rs 90 toll but will now have to pay Rs 95. The toll rate for more than one trip in a day remains unchanged at Rs 140. The toll rate for small commercial vehicles will increase from Rs 160 to Rs 165. An amount of Rs 245 will be charged from 240 for more than a trip. For buses and trucks, it will be Rs 330 from Rs 320, and for more than one trip, it will be Rs 495 from Rs 485. For multi-axle vehicles, the one-way fare of Rs 515 will be Rs 530 and for more than a trip, it will be Rs 795 instead of Rs 775.

The toll collection in Paliyekkara has been suspended till September 9 as per the high court order. The toll hike comes while a case is pending in the high court citing traffic problems and contract violations on the national highway. The toll rate in Paliyekkara is revised every year on September 1. The plea filed by DCC President Joseph Tajet, stating that Guruvayur Infrastructure Private Limited, which is constantly violating the contract, should not be allowed to increase the toll rate, is under the consideration of the high court.