Thrissur: Even as the authorities concerned are making the move to revise the toll tax, it has come to light that the Paliyekara toll plaza here, which comes under the National Highway Authority of India, has till now collected a total toll of Rs 714.39 crore against the construction cost of Rs 721.17 crore.
The cost to construct the 64.94 km stretch between Mannuthy and Edappally was Rs 721.17 crore and the plaza has garnered toll tax to the tune of Rs 714.39 crore till July 31 this year, according to a reply to RTI application. As many as 21, 298 vehicles passing through the toll plaza are paying tax daily and the revenue generation is Rs 31.80 lakh per day.
Permission to collect tax, which began on February 9, 2012, was given for a period of 16 years, and in the remaining 7 years, the construction company can easily recover the cost incurred to build the road. But it will take many more years before the interest on the investment made by the company breaks even with its share of profit. The concession period ends on June 21, 2028.
At a glance
- Total length: 65km
- Construction cost: Rs 721.17 crore
- Toll collection till July: Rs 714.39 crore
- Toll collection started on February 9, 2012
- Toll collection ends on June 21, 2028
Yearly revenue generation at the poll plaza
- 2018-19 – Rs 115.93 crore
- 2017-18 – Rs 116.37 crore
- 2016-17 – Rs 99.18 crore
- 2015-16 – Rs 100.92 crore
- 2014-15 – Rs 91.30 crore
- 2013-14 – Rs 80.29 crore
- 2012-13 – Rs 65.63 crore