Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (DC)
Udupi, Aug 16: The locals and several association members protested at Hejamady and Sasthan tollgates for collecting toll charges from the local vehicles on Thursday, August 16.
The tollgate at Hejamady near Padubidri had started collecting toll from local vehicles from Thursday morning. Enraged locals, along with activists of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and other like-minded associations, protested.
The protesters also got involved in war of words with the police. The toll collection was opposed by the locals since the national highway works are still underway.
At Sasthan also locals protested over the same issue. Brahmavar police beefed up security in the area and brought the situation under control. The protesters also discussed with Navayuga Company officials. Navayuga Company collects the toll charges.
After 2-hour long protest, it was assured that no toll would be collected till Friday evening.
Meanwhile, Udupi DC Priyanka Mary Francis has called for a meeting along with all association office-bearers and officials of Navayuga Company on Friday evening.
Kundapura MLA Halady Shrinivas Shetty, Brahmavar tahasildar Anil Kumar and others arrived to the spot. Pratap Shetty and Alwyn Andrade were representing the protestors.
Collection of toll charges from all the vehicles including local vehicles on national highway 66 from Talapady to Kundapur began on Thursday, August 16.
On Wednesday, Hejamady toll officer Ravi Babu said that the state government has asked to collect toll charges and that they will act accordingly. Padubidri police station inspector Sathish confirmed that Navayuga company has requested for police protection during collection of toll.
Dr Deviprasad Shetty, president of twin district committee against the collection of toll charges on Wednesday said that they are prepared for violent protests against Navayuga Company which is preparing to collect toll. “National highway works are not completed. People are facing undue hardship. District administration supporting Navayuga Company is surprising. Everybody knows about the decision in government-level meetings that toll should not be collected without completing the works. Silence of the MPs of twin districts and elected representative remaining quiet is not fair,” he said.