Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Saturday ordered all gates at the Paliyekkara toll plaza on National Highway 544 in Thrissur district, Kerala, to be opened after encountering a severe traffic jam. The minister's convoy came across a queue of vehicles stretching over two kilometers on both sides of the toll plaza while traveling from Thrissur to Ernakulam around 5:45 pm.
Despite his police pilot clearing a path for his vehicle, Gopi felt a sense of responsibility upon witnessing the extensive backlog. He cited clear legal guidelines, stating that toll gates must be opened if vehicles queue beyond a certain distance, considering fuel waste, excessive heat, and smoke emissions.
Minister Calls for Proactive Local Authority Intervention
Gopi clarified that toll staff were simply performing their duties and should not be blamed for the congestion. However, he emphasized that the incident should serve as an eye-opener for authorities, highlighting that while toll collection is necessary, the process can cause significant delays during peak traffic.
The Thrissur MP suggested that district administrations and local authorities should proactively coordinate with police to intervene at toll plazas during periods of heavy traffic. "If the district collectors or local authorities step in at these toll gates on such days, coordinate with the police, and pay extra attention, it would be a huge relief to commuters," he stated.
Swift Resolution at Paliyekkara Toll Plaza
Upon reaching the plaza, Minister Gopi exited his vehicle and directly instructed toll operators to open all 12 gates. His security personnel and police on duty assisted in managing the flow of traffic. For approximately 10 to 15 minutes, all booths remained open, allowing the piled-up vehicles to clear.
Police reported that the congestion on both sides of the plaza eased significantly within roughly 30 minutes, after which the minister resumed his journey. Gopi acknowledged that some motorists might have resented his convoy's movement but expressed satisfaction that his intervention ultimately provided relief to many commuters.