Protests against Surathkal toll to be intensified

Members of Tollgate Virodhi Horata Samithi of Surathkal and Mulki Nagarika Abhivridhi Samithi have decided to intensify their protest against the toll plaza at Surathkal.

The leaders, who had gathered at the toll plaza, spoke to the representatives of the contractor engaged in the toll collection. The toll plaza authorities informed the leaders that the lane where local vehicles and vehicles with passes crossed the plaza continued as a FASTag-free lane. However, if the vehicles entered other lanes, then a fee will be collected from them as per the FASTag rules.

As local vehicles had been exempted, the leaders decided not to hold a protest against mandatory FASTag. But if the government decides to collect toll from local vehicles in the future, then a protest will be staged against toll collection, they warned.

The representatives have decided to intensify their protest against the temporary toll gate at Surathkal. As part of the protest, the leaders have decided to hold mass dharna soon.

The leaders agreed that MP Nalin Kumar Kateel's meeting with the union minister on removing the toll plaza at Surathkal would serve no purpose.

Samithi Convener Muneer Katipalla said until recently, the contract for the toll collection was renewed once in three months. This time, the contract will be renewed next year. By failing to stall the renewal of the contract, the MP has done injustice to the people of the district, he added.

The MP’s recent statement on holding a meeting with Union Minister Nithin Gadkari is an attempt to divert the attention of the people, he added.

Mulki Abhivridhi Nagarika Samithi President Harish Puthran, former deputy mayor Purushotham Chitrapura and others were present at the gathering.