Four toll plazas closed on OMR may remain shut

CHENNAI: Four toll plazas on Rajiv Gandhi Salai and its link roads were closed on Monday as announced by the highways minister EV Velu last week. While the reason cited was the beginning of Metro rail works, it is reliably learnt that the State government might never again reopen the toll plazas.

Official sources said that instead of reopening the four toll plazas, the State government will compensate Tamil Nadu Road Development Company (TNRDC), which maintains the road. “Toll collected from Siruseri plaza may not be sufficient to meet the expenses. We require Rs 21 crore annually for maintenance of OMR,” said a senior official from TNRDC.The closure comes as a huge relief for residents of Thoraipakkam from call taxis, which pass through internal roads for skipping toll.