Suresh Gopi opens the toll gates after seeing a long queue of vehicles in Keralam’s Thrissur

Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Sunday directed toll operators to open all gates at Paliyekkara here after witnessing a long queue of vehicles waiting to cross the toll plaza, officials said.

According to the police, Mr. Gopi was traveling from Thrissur towards Ernakulam when he saw vehicles lined up for more than two kilometers on either side of the toll plaza.

Although his escort vehicle managed to clear the traffic and take him to the toll booth, Mr. Gopi got out of his vehicle when he reached the toll booth and ordered the operators to open all the gates.

Its security personnel also joined the effort and opened the toll gates, after which the queue was cleared in about half an hour, police said. Mr. Gopi then continued his journey.

In an interview with a TV channel, Mr. Gopi said that after seeing the long queue, he felt responsible and decided to intervene.

“There are clear legal guidelines that if vehicles are queuing for such a distance – considering idling fuel wastage, excessive heat emissions and smoke emissions – the court has issued strict guidelines that if vehicles cross a certain point, the toll gates must be opened to allow them to pass,” he said.

Mr. Gopi said toll operators cannot be blamed for toll collection, but the process can take considerable time when the number of vehicles is high.

“There’s no point blaming them either; they have to collect the toll. But it takes a lot of time. So what happened today – where the Union Minister himself directly intervened – should be an eye-opener for the authorities,” he said.

He suggested that district administrations and local authorities coordinate their activities with the police and intervene at toll booths during peak traffic days.

“If the district collectors or local authorities step in at these toll gates on such days, coordinate with the police and pay extra attention, it would be a huge relief to commuters,” he said.

Mr Gopi also said he was aware that some motorists resented the movement of his convoy.

“As the pilot vehicle drove me through, I passed a lot of people who were averse to it. But I feel satisfied knowing that everyone was able to experience great relief today as they moved forward,” he said.

Published – 06 Sep 2026 22:09 IST