'Merge Surathkal with Hejamadi toll plaza immediately'

Toll Gate Virodhi Horata Samiti of Surathkal urged officials to merge Surathkal toll plaza with Hejamadi toll gate immediately before making FASTag mandatory at toll plazas.

The Samiti will stage a protest and stop the toll collection if FASTag system is made mandatory for all vehicles at Surathkal toll plaza from February 15, Samithi Convener Muneer Katipalla warned while addressing media persons on Friday.

Despite government approving the merger of Surathkal toll plaza with Hejamadi toll plaza in January 2018, the Centre has failed to implement the decision. "If the FASTag is made mandatory, then the status quo of providing an exemption for local vehicles should be maintained," he urged.

MP and BJP State President Nalin Kumar Kateel had stated that Union Minister Nithin Gadkari had promised to convene a meeting of NHAI officials to discuss closing the toll gate at Surathkal. Katipalla referred to the promise saying it was an attempt to divert people's attention.

Katipalla said there is no need for a meeting, officials have to just implement the decision that was taken in 2018.

The FASTag will take away the exemption for the local vehicles given at the toll gate. "The exemption from paying toll for the local vehicles at Talapady and Brahmarakootlu toll plazas in Dakshina Kannada should continue," he said.

He added that exemption to Padubidri residents from paying toll at Hejamadi toll plaza should be extended to vehicles owned by residents of Mulki, situated just a half kilometre away from Hejamadi.