Palakkad, Kerala – In a rare and powerful display of non-violent resistance, Shento V. Anto, a young cinematographer from Kerala, captured public attention after he refused to pay toll fees at the Panniyankara toll plaza. Instead of engaging in a dispute, Shento patiently waited for nearly 9.5 hours at the toll gate until officials allowed him to pass without payment.
Shento’s action was a response to the deplorable condition of the roads, particularly on routes he regularly takes from Palakkad to Ernakulam and Thrissur for work. His stance was simple: he would not pay for a service he didn’t receive. Without recharging his FASTag and without causing a scene, he quietly refused to budge. The toll gate eventually had to be lifted to let him through.
Bad Roads, No Justification for Toll Collection
The protest was not impulsive. Shento voiced a concern shared by thousands of motorists in Kerala and across the country — why pay tolls when road conditions are dangerous or unusable? He cited several personal incidents where unfinished construction and pothole-ridden roads caused serious inconvenience, including a stressful drive with his pregnant sister over a damaged stretch.
His protest finds validation in a recent observation by the Kerala High Court, which stated that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) should not be allowed to collect tolls if it fails to provide safe, motorable roads. Despite such rulings, toll collection by private contractors has continued on poorly maintained roads, often without accountability or transparency.
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Public Support and a Larger Conversation
Shento’s calm defiance has ignited widespread discussions online, with many hailing his act as a bold and necessary form of protest. His approach stood in stark contrast to frequent incidents of violence and verbal altercations at toll plazas, and demonstrated the power of peaceful resistance.
His stand has also renewed calls for policy reform, demanding greater oversight over toll operations, regular road audits, and penalties for non-compliant contractors. Shento’s protest has transformed from a personal act into a symbol of public frustration, shining a spotlight on the rights of commuters and the obligations of infrastructure providers.