Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Feb 26: Members of Hejamady Highway Action Committee met MP Shobha Karandlaje and district deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis here separately on Saturday February 25 and tried to convince them of their legitimate demand to put off collection of charges at Hejamady tollgate till all the conditions of highway construction are met.

Leader of the committee, Deviprasad Shetty told Daijiworld that the delegation was happy with the responses of MP and DC, both of which were positive. "Shobha Karandlaje has promised to meet chief secretary of the state on Monday February 27 and hold discussions after which she will let us know about her decision on toll charges. We have pointed out that construction of road, service roads and bridges have not yet been completed and hence the concerned are not justified in collecting toll charges,"Shetty stated. He said that the MP has to hand over the written representation made by the committee containing all the relevant points to the chief secretary.

The committee has demanded to put off toll collection till pending work on highway is completed, and thereafter exempt vehicles registered in Udupi and Mangaluru (KA 19 and KA 20) from payment of toll charges. The delegation comprised of members, Diwakar Shetty, Gulam Ahmed, Vishwas Ameen, Ramesh Kotian and others.

MLC, Kota Srinivas Poojary, who also met the concerned on Saturday relating to tollgate at Sastan, said that the DC has give positive response. "We are not aware whether service roads were included in the estimate about highways submitted by the contractors. There is no space for the school children to cross the road near Sastan tollgate. National Highways Authority of India has to build service roads there to ensure safety of children. Navayuga company, which is executing highway construction work, is yet to complete bridges on the highway," he said. He pointed out that PWD has admitted in its report about non-completion of 90 percent work, a stipulation that has to be adhered to before starting tollgate collection. He also noted that before collection of toll charges, amenities like bus stands, service roads, drain, street lights etc have to be provided by NHAI. He also said that agitation would be launched if the concerned try to collect toll charges without meting these conditions.

Poojary also apprised the DC of the problems being faced on the issue of sand and sought favourable steps from her side. The DC assured of doing whatever is possible within her powers to mitigate the problems.