Thrissur: Police used a lathicharge and water cannon against an LDF-led protest march to the Nattika toll plaza in Kerala's Thrissur district on Tuesday, October 13. Women were among those participating in the demonstration against toll collection on National Highway 66.

The march was organised in opposition to the commencement of toll collection before the completion of the highway construction works. Protesters alleged that police resorted to force against a march that had been proceeding peacefully.

Toll collection at Nattika began on Thursday, triggering protests in the area over the extent of construction completed on the highway. The collection was previously suspended following public opposition but resumed, prompting fresh demonstrations led by the Left Democratic Front (LDF).

The CPI(M) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) also held protests on the preceding day.

Why are residents opposing toll collection?

The principal objection raised by local residents and the LDF is that toll collection has begun despite several components of the highway project remaining incomplete.

Protesters point to unfinished flyovers and underpasses, as well as incomplete drainage systems along the road. They argue that motorists are being charged for using infrastructure that has not been fully completed.

According to the protesters, toll collection should not begin until the highway meets the applicable completion requirements. They have also questioned the quality and availability of basic road infrastructure at the toll section.

What does NHAI say?

The National Highways Authority of India maintains that more than 90% of the highway construction has been completed and that toll collection is therefore justified.

The LDF and local residents dispute this assessment, arguing that the unfinished flyovers, underpasses and drainage works indicate that significant construction remains pending.

The disagreement centres on the extent of project completion and whether the conditions required for collecting toll have been met.

What are the rules for collecting toll on national highways?

The report cites a 90% completion threshold for toll collection on national highways. However, the applicable rules can depend on the type of highway project, the contractual arrangement and the relevant toll notification.

The specific basis on which toll collection has been authorised at Nattika, including the project's completion certification and applicable concession terms, would need to be examined to establish whether the collection complies with the governing requirements.

The dispute is therefore not only about unfinished construction but also about the basis on which the authorities have permitted toll collection to resume.

Why the Nattika toll dispute matters

The protests highlight a recurring public concern over toll collection on infrastructure projects where construction remains incomplete. For motorists and residents, the central issues are whether the road meets the prescribed requirements, whether unfinished sections affect access and safety, and whether the toll being collected is authorised under the project's governing rules.

The immediate dispute at Nattika involves competing claims: NHAI says construction has crossed the 90% threshold, while protesters argue that important works remain incomplete. Establishing whether toll collection is legally justified requires examining the applicable project documents and official authorisation, rather than relying solely on either side's assessment.

The police response has added another dimension to the dispute, with the LDF-led march facing a lathicharge and water cannon. The available report does not specify the number of people injured or detained.

Further clarification from NHAI on the completion status of the Nattika stretch and the legal basis for toll collection would help establish the facts underlying the continuing protests.