The Citizens’ Forum conducted a signature campaign against the move of NHAI on Monday. They said that the Authority was planning to set up the toll gate violating rules.
The campaign led by social activists, local corporators, Rotary Club, Lions Club etc witnessed outstanding response. Within 40 minutes, there were 4,000 appeals collected at the protest venue in Mukka, near Surathkal.
The campaign started at 9.30 am and in the evening the protestors handed over a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.
“This road is not a new one. NHAI developed the existing road. Why should we pay the toll for the road which we have been using since several years,” said social activist Yathish Baikampady.
“Corporation has already passed a resolution that there should not be any toll gates within corporation limits. The rule also says that toll gates should not be placed within 10 kilometres of city limits. The stipulated distance between two toll gates must be at least eight kilometres. This rule is being violated,” he said.
The protesters said that the local people who will have to commute on the road on daily basis will face lot of inconvenience. “It will be an additional burden on the pockets of the people,” protesters said.
The memorandum with the signatures from public against the toll gate was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner. Receiving the memorandum, DC said that he will look in to the matter and take necessary steps according to the laws. DC has called a meeting of NHAI, Ircon who is in charge of construction of toll gate and the citizen forum to resolve the issue on Thursday.
