The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is expected to start toll collection at Kaniyur shortly as most of the works taken up to develop the Chengapalli-Neelambur stretch into a six-lane road have been completed.
The toll plaza is getting ready and inspections of the road have taken place in the last few weeks.
Under the NHAI project, which started in 2010, the stretch from Chengapalli to Neelambur has been developed into a six-lane road, apart from service roads on either side. Works are on to widen the stretch from Madukkarai to Walayar into a four-lane road.
Those residing within 20 km radium from the toll plaza do not have to pay toll for two wheelers and three wheelers.
They can collect monthly passes for four wheeler non-commercial vehicles, when the rates are finalised and announced, according to an official of NHAI.
Meanwhile, the residents of some of the villages near Karumathampatti have appealed to the District Collector and the police to exempt them from the toll.
Appeal
According to K.S. Thirugnanasambandan, member of Shyamalapuram town panchayat, there are several villages within the 20 km radius of the toll plaza and the residents need to travel every day from one village to another for agriculture or visiting relatives or to the city for work.
Hence, toll should not be collected from the residents of the villages within 25 km radius of the toll plaza, he said.
