Kasaragod: A protest march against the construction of a temporary toll plaza on NH-66 at Kumbla turned violent on Monday, as members of the Kumbla Janakeeya Samithi clashed with police. 

Protesters of the People's Committee reportedly brought down barricades set up along the highway, triggering tense scenes in the area. Muslim League MLAs NA Nellikkunnu and AKM Ashraf also joined the agitation. 

The protest stems from the National Highways Authority of India’s (NHAI) decision to set up a temporary toll plaza at Arikady on the Talapady-Chengala stretch, barely 20 km from an existing booth at Talapady on the Kerala-Karnataka border. 

Citing Rule 8(2) of the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) Rules, 2008, which bars toll plazas within 60 km of each other, protesters argued that the new facility is illegal. 

But the Kerala High Court dismissed a writ petition filed by CPM area secretary Zubair CA challenging the toll plaza. The NHAI told the court that, under certain conditions, it can build and operate a toll plaza within 60 km, subject to Union government approval. It also submitted that clearance for Arikady has been sought under Rule 8(2). 

Accepting the NHAI’s submissions, the court ruled there was nothing unlawful in collecting toll at Arikady and upheld the plan to begin operations. 

The six-lane expansion of the Talapady–Chengala stretch, being executed by the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society Ltd. (ULCCS), is nearing completion. A temporary collection point has already been set up at Arikady, paving the way for tolling to start soon.