Toll collection at Ponnurunni overbridge was postponed indefinitely on Sunday following a slew of protests by the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and other organisations.
A huge posse of policemen had been deployed to control the situation near the toll booth on the bridge’s northern end. The bridge was formally inaugurated on Saturday by Chief Minister Ommen Chandy.
Following stoppage of toll collection, a meeting was held in which Benny Behanan, MLA; officials of the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala Limited (RBDCK); Mayor Tony Chammany and representatives of agitating youth and political organisations participated. They decided to explore other means by which RBDCK could get the money it invested on the bridge. A decision would be taken within 10 days.
‘Up to State Government’An RBDCK official said it was up to the State government to decide on waiving the toll. “The bridge cost Rs.25.31 crore. The Railway was expected to give Rs.10 crore, while Rs.8 crore would be raised from Kochi Corporation/JNNURM funds. RBDCK will have to recoup its share of Rs.7.31 crore through toll or other means (government help).”
Generally, RBDCK and Railway share 50 per cent of the project cost. In the case of Ponnurunni, Rs.8 crore from Kochi Corporation/JNNURM is expected to swing the tide in favour of bridge users, since toll can be waived if government pays Rs.7.31 crore to RBDCK.
The previous LDF-led council in Kochi Corporation had directed RBDCK to club toll collection for Pullepady and Ponurunni overbridges. With Kochi Metro works gaining pace, there is demand from different quarters to stop toll collection from all bridges within the city since huge queues before toll booths affect smooth flow of vehicles during peak hours.
FootpathsIn the meantime, RBDCK is all set to commence work on a stairway that would lead to the footpath built over the bridge’s railway portion within a week.
