Suresh Gopi opens toll gates after seeing long queue of vehicles in Keralam’s Thrissur
Union Minister Suresh Gopi intervened at a toll plaza in Thrissur, Kerala, by ordering gates to be opened to clear a two-kilometer traffic queue. He cited legal guidelines regarding vehicle idling and environmental impact as the basis for his actions.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the intersection of political authority, infrastructure management, and public frustration with toll collection efficiency in India.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Sunday directed toll plaza 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 travelling from Thrissur towards Ernakulam when he saw vehicles queued up for more than two kilometres on both sides of the toll plaza.
Although his escort vehicle managed to clear the traffic and take him towards the toll plaza, Mr. Gopi got out of his vehicle on reaching the toll booth and directed the operators to open all the gates.
His security personnel also joined the effort and opened the toll gates, following which the queue was cleared in around half-an-hour, the police said. Mr. Gopi then resumed his journey.
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