The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has instructed the Kozhikode District Collector to investigate complaints regarding the Pantheerankavu toll plaza on national highway (NH) 66. This directive requires a report on allegations within eight days, following a public interest litigation that highlighted issues such as staff misconduct, traffic delays, and safety deficiencies at the facility .
The petition, brought forward by human rights activist Noushad Thekkayil, included grievances from various road users, including truck drivers, ambulance operators, and daily commuters. Many motorists have reported significant delays at toll plaza, particularly during peak hours,which has disrupted the flow of goods and passenger transport. Ambulance drivers expressed particular concern, noting that traffic congestion near toll plaza can hinder emergency responses.
Tourist vehicle operators also voiced frustrations,especially during weekends and holidays when traffic tends to back up. A truck driver shared his experience, stating, “There are drivers who fail to use QR-code for toll payments. Such people may take time to make payment using other direct options.” He emphasized the need for toll staff to be trained in customer service to handle various situations effectively.
Local drivers have previously reported instances of rude behavior from toll plaza employees. They noted a lack of supervisory oversight, which has contributed to poor interactions with the public. These drivers have also approached traffic police with similar complaints,highlighting absence of accountability among toll staff, who often face questions about road maintenance even after tolls have been paid.
Commuters using busy inter-district stretch of NH 66 have described how recurring bottlenecks at the toll collection point disrupt smooth flow of traffic. Lorry operators on routes such as Kozhikode-Palakkad and Kozhikode-Thrissur have reported that delays at the toll plaza frequently throw their schedules off track,unnecessarily extending transit times.
In light of these complaints, NHRC has called for immediate action and a thorough investigation in consultation with relevant stakeholders. The Commission's involvement comes amid rising tensions among highway users regarding inadequate traffic management and safety issues at toll plazas across the region.
While the toll plaza operators have refrained from commenting on the public complaints,they have indicated a willingness to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. They plan to implement necessary changes based on the Collector’s forthcoming directives .
