The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) issued notice to the operator of Paliyekkara toll plaza and to the Thrissur district collector on Thursday after a man died due to blood loss at the toll gate.
In January, 26-year-old Jithin of SN Puram met with an accident but died on the way to the hospital owing to heavy traffic blocks at the toll gate of Paliyekkara plaza.
Thrissur District Congress Committee Vice President Joseph Tajet in his complaint to SHRC alleged that the toll operators were not ready to open the emergency gates of the plaza when Jithin was being rushed to the hospital.
“Apart from emergency gates, there is also written rule that gates should be opened freely if five vehicles queue up in a row to pay the toll. In case of an emergency, they should open emergency gates or allow vehicles to pass through,” Tajet told The News Minute.
He also alleged that holding up vehicles regularly happened at the Paliyekkara toll plaza. He claimed that in another incident recently, two children being rushed to hospital were also made to wait for a long time at the toll gates.
“We have been fighting against this for a long time. There is always a traffic block at the toll plaze. They show mercy only to ambulances. What about other emergency vehicles? Jithin was taken in a car to hospital. Doctor had clearly said that severe blood loss resulted in his death,” Tajet said.
SHRC member K Mohan Kumar observed in the sitting held on Thursday that many complaints have been raised against the toll plaza. He also pointed out that it was unfortunate that the district collector did not file a report even after he received a number of complaints.
There have also been earlier complaints about the traffic block at the toll plaza causing problems for those using the National Highway.
The toll plaza has witnessed a number of protests, with residents and political parties demonstrating against toll operators, who do not follow the rules.