Wed Jan 14 16:09:15 UTC 2026: ### UDF Protests Loom as Toll Collection Scheduled to Begin on NH-66

The Story: The United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kozhikode district, India, has announced a protest at the Pantheerankavu toll plaza on the Vengalam-Ramanattukara stretch of National Highway NH-66, scheduled for Thursday morning, January 15, 2026, when toll collection is slated to commence. The UDF demands the completion of service roads and toll exemption for residents of Vengalam and Azhiyur.

Key Points:

  • The protest is organized by the Kozhikode district committee of the UDF.
  • The protest location is the Pantheerankavu toll plaza on the Vengalam-Ramanattukara stretch of NH-66.
  • Toll collection is scheduled to begin on Thursday morning, January 15, 2026.
  • K. Praveenkumar, District Congress Committee president, and M.A. Razaq, district president of the Indian Union Muslim League, are leading the protest.
  • The UDF demands the completion of service roads and toll exemption for residents of Vengalam and Azhiyur.

Key Takeaways:

  • Local political opposition is mounting against the initiation of toll collection on NH-66.
  • The UDF is leveraging local concerns about infrastructure and financial burden on residents to mobilize protest.
  • The timing of the protest is directly coordinated with the planned start of toll collection, indicating a deliberate attempt to disrupt the process.

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