Organisations stage protest against toll collection

Members of various organisations under the leadership of former minister M Shivanna staged a demonstration on Mysore-Bangalore Road here on Monday, opposing the imposition of toll on State Highways.

More than 60 protesters belonging to Association of Informed and Concerned Citizens of Mysore (ACICM) and Mysore Kannada Vedike participated in the demonstration at Toll Gate, on the Mysore-Bangalore Road.

The protesters termed the move by the State Government to make amendments to the Karnataka Highways Act 1964, Section 19(A) and 19(B) as a violation of the law. 

According to the plans by the State Government, on two-lane highways cars will be charged 50 paise per kilometre, tempo and vans will be charged 75 paise, lorries and buses will have to shell out ` 1.50 and heavy vehicles will have to pay `  2.25.

In four-lane highways, cars will pay 65 paise, tempo and vans will have to pay ` 1.05, lorry and buses will have to shell out `  2.20 and heavy vehicles will have to pay `  3.45. 

Protests will be held on May 31 on Hunsur Road and on Hassan Road on June 1, said ACICM Convener M Lakshmana.