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Thrissur : Toll collection at Nattika on the Kapirikkad-Kodungallur stretch of NH 66 was suspended again on Sunday following widespread protests against its resumption a day earlier. The toll collection at Nattika was first introduced last Thursday but was suspended within hours after public protests alleged that the highway construction work was incomplete. Public works minister P K Basheer subsequently announced the suspension in a video post after sports minister O J Janeesh brought the situation to his attention.
An official release issued at the time said Basheer had directed officials to inspect the site, assess the progress of highway construction and submit a report. However, neither the state govt nor National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued an official statement clarifying the reasons for the latest suspension. The minister had also made it clear that toll collection would resume only after the report was received.
However, toll collection resumed abruptly on Saturday, without the promised site inspection or the all-party meeting the minister had announced. The move triggered widespread protests, again forcing suspension of toll collection on Sunday morning.