Toll collection: Indefinite stir from Oct 22

Surathkal Tollgate Virodhi Horata Samithi will stage an indefinite protest for the cancellation of toll collection at Surathkal toll plaza on NH 66 at Surathkal Junction from October 22.

Samithi Convener Muneer Katipalla said on Tuesday that it was decided to close the toll gate in a meeting of government officials on January 3. But the Centre renewed the contract twice and tenders for toll collection had been floated again. The contract will end on October 30.

The NHAI had promised to merge Surathkal with Hejamady toll plaza in the past. In spite of Mangaluru MP’s direction to officials to suspend toll collection in Surathkal, the toll continues to be collected illegally, Katipalla said.

The authorities had taken up the work on filling up potholes from Panambur to Baikampady on NH 66, after the Samithi took out a padayatra demanding the repair of the highway. But the work on filling potholes had been suspended and Kuloor bridge has become unmotorable.

The maintenance work on the highway from BC Road to Surathkal toll had been entrusted to DP Jain firm. The firm was paid Rs 8.30 crore annually to carry out the maintenance work. But, the road maintenance work has not been initiated so far, he said.