MMK cadre lay siege to toll plaza demanding removal of Nanguneri tollgate

Over 300 protestors arrested at Nanguneri tollgate for demanding closure of excessive toll plazas in Tamil Nadu.

Over 300 protestors of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi were arrested when they laid siege to Nanguneri tollgate on Tirunelveli – Kanniyakumari four-lane national highway on Monday.

 The protestors, led by party’s State vice-president P. S. Hameed, said exorbitant toll was being collected in more than 10 tollgates, including Nanguneri toll plaza, in Tamil Nadu even after the ‘toll collection period’. The toll plazas, which should station a fully-equipped ambulance at the spot to assist accident victims and rush them to the nearest hospital for timely medical treatment, did not honour the instruction.

 While neighbouring Kerala had only five toll plazas, Tamil Nadu had more than 70. “It shows the inefficiency of the administration,” the protestors said.

 The State Government should take steps to permanently close down the tollgates that were fleecing the public even after their lifespan. The Tamil Nadu Government should also stop the opening of new tollgates in any part of the State, they added.

 As the MMK cadre gathered in large numbers near the Nanguneri tollgate, movement of vehicles was affected for a while. Police arrested 304 protestors and released them later.