Suresh Gopi, Union minister of state for petroleum and natural gas and the ministry of tourism
Thrissur : All gates of the Paliyekkara toll plaza on the Mannuthy–Angamaly stretch of NH 544 were opened on Sunday following the intervention of Union minister of state Suresh Gopi after a long queue of vehicles formed at the plaza.
There is a court order that the plaza gates must be opened if the queue of vehicles stretches beyond a certain point,” Gopi said. The minister was travelling from Thrissur to Kochi when he noticed the queue of stranded vehicles for nearly 2km. “Of course, I was able to move forward as the police pilot was making way for me. When I saw such a long traffic block, I felt a sense of responsibility. The minister stepped out of his vehicle and directed the toll plaza staff to open the gates for all vehicles. A large number of vehicles had also queued up in the opposite direction. The traffic congestion on both sides was cleared within a short time, following which the minister resumed his journey.