Tamil Nadu: DMK Ally MMK Stages Protest March Against Toll Fee Hikes, Trichy Toll Plaza Vandalised

The protest by Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) involved party members from Madurai, Trichy, Chengalpattu and other southern districts attempting to block operations at various toll plazas.

The protesters demanded an end to the rising toll rates and called for a halt to the opening of new toll plazas in the state.

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A large-scale protest against toll collection took place at a toll booths in some of the cities across Tamil Nadu leading to significant traffic disruptions on Monday. Protesters, allegedly from the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) party, vandalised the toll booth in Trichy, smashing glass frames as part of their demonstration against the continuous hikes in toll fees. 

On Monday, the protest involved party members from Madurai, Trichy, Chengalpattu and other southern districts, who attempted to block operations at the Kappalur toll plaza in Tirumangalam and the Thuvakkudi toll booth in Trichy. MH Jawahirullah, President of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, led the protest at Paranur toll plaza in Chengalpattu district. 

In Trichy, the agitation was led by MMK party MLA Abdul Samad, who, along with other members, staged a road blockade near the Thuvakkudi toll booth on the Tiruchi-Thanjavur national highway, reported The Hindu. The protesters demanded an end to the rising toll rates and called for a halt to the opening of new toll plazas in the state.

They argued that the bi-annual toll fee hikes are not only burdening commuters but also contributing to an increase in the prices of essential goods due to higher transportation costs.

MLA Abdul Samad pointed out that Tamil Nadu currently has 67 toll booths, with three new ones recently opened in Villupuram, as reported by India Today. He claimed that these toll booths collectively generate around Rs 50 crore daily, leading to an annual toll collection of approximately Rs 18,000 crore.

The protest comes in the wake of a recent increase in vehicle user fees by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Following the Lok Sabha elections in June, NHAI raised toll charges by Rs 5 to Rs 25 at 34 toll plazas across Tamil Nadu, depending on the category of the vehicle.