Nagarika Samiti moves SC against Surathkal toll gate

Nagarika Samiti, Mangaluru, has submitted its appeal against the construction of the toll gate in Surathkal by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

Addressing media persons here on Wednesday, Mangaluru North MLA B A Mohiyuddin Bava said the Samiti had objected to the construction of the toll gate in front of NITK at Surathkal. Though the chief minister and the PWD minister had written to the NHAI to stop the work on the toll gate, the NHAI continued with the work. Later, the Samiti filed a case in the High Court against this. The court has ordered status quo and hence, the Samiti has moved the Supreme Court, he said.

Referring to a Supreme Court verdict in connection with a toll gate case in Ranchi, Bava said the court stayed the toll collection as the construction of the toll gate was ‘unscientific’. The toll gate in Surathkal is also an example of ‘unscientific construction’. The service road work on the stretch has not been completed before constructing the toll gate and the drain system is also closed. The NHAI and the construction company should keep aside their false pride and work for public welfare, he said.

The Samiti has moved the Supreme Court on the basis of violations done by the NHAI in the construction of the toll gate without laying the service road and closing of the drain system.

Above all, the toll gate has been constructed just opposite to the NITK. As huge vehicles line up in front of the toll gate, the NITK students are finding it inconvenient to enter the campus. The issue has been discussed at the NITK Board Committee meeting. A letter has been written to Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani in this regard, he said.

Smoke from the vehicles is causing nuisance to the students of a nearby primary school, he charged.

Bava urged the NHAI to shift the toll gate one km away and outside the Mangaluru City Corporation limits.

He also alleged that the toll gate in Surathkal has not yet been merged with the Haleyangadi toll gate as stated earlier.

The Samiti is not against the collection of toll. But it is against the unscientific construction of the toll gate, he said.  Samiti Member Bhaskar Malli was present on the occasion.