Team News Riveting
Kochi, November 11
Shopping complex or Malls closing due to deadly COVID-19 had been in news but shutting an entire toll plaza on National Highway (NH) because of novel virus was something unheard of.
The Paliyekkara toll plaza in Kerala’s Thrissur district has been closed down after 20 staffers were tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The action came following the direction of Thrissur’s District Medical Officer, KG Reena.
Among the 93 staff tested for COVID-19, 11 tested positive. Nine others had been infected earlier. Five among the 20 who were positive were collecting money from vehicles at the toll booth, and 95 of their colleagues were in direct contact with them.
The Paliyekkara toll plaza is located on National Highway (NH) connecting Salem with Kochi. It started functioning on February 9, 2012, after the construction of the Mannuthy Edappally National Highway. As per reports, around Rs 100 crore is collected from the plaza every year. The company has permission to collect toll there until 2028.
The plaza would be reopened only after disinfecting the toll booths, and identifying the staffers who had not come into contact with the other patients. The company has informed that it would take at least four days for the plaza to start functioning again.
