Study moots reduction of toll rates

KOCHI: The people agitating against toll rates  might have something to cheer about. A study conducted by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) on the Aroor-Vyttila Bypass has come up with some figures supporting reduction of toll fee in the area.The survey points out that compared to the national average, Kerala’s vehicle to population ratio is very high. The ration is 1:6 in Kerala as against 1:24 in India. This means that in Kerala 1 in every 6 persons own a vehicle, compared to the national average of 1 car for 24 people. This ratio is 1:4 in Kochi. The survey points out that with such high vehicle density, in Kerala, the amount mentioned by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) can be gathered by levying a much lower toll rate.The survey looks at the rate of growth of traffic volume between 2005 and 2009 in different segments of the Aroor-Vytilla bypass road. According to the figures released by National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), the average annual growth rate of traffic volume is 10.71% with a traffic density of 60,235 in 2009. The NHAI puts it at 50,000. However, even at this rate, the NHAI can recover its investment at much lower rates. The study points out that unlike other parts of the country, national highways in Kerala pass through densely populated areas and most townships are close to these roads. People have to rely on national highways even for short distances and hence the current toll rates are not practical and must be revised.  The survey points out that the current system is an ultimate example of flaws in centralised planning without taking into consideration the local scenario. The whole process of toll collection should be coordinated between the central, state and local governments.” The survey also suggests that the authorities should  look at alternative financing carried out in other countries like increasing Floor Space Index (FSI) on both sides of the road to increase direct and indirect taxes, building shopping malls, townships etc on the sides of the road to bring in more revenue.