Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 21: A symbolic protest was held at Hejamady near Padubidri under the aegis of Undivided Dakshina Kannada District Heddari Horata Samiti against collection of toll charges at Hejamady tollgate on Thursday September 20.

On the occasion, MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, informed over phone to Dr Deviprasad Shetty, who led the protesters, that union minister for highways and surface transport, Nitin Gadkari, has promised to exempt local vehicles from toll charges on national highway 66 till all the over bridges are completed. Nalin also said that a meeting is being held at Bengaluru on September 24 with the participation of highways authority, Navayuga Company, people's representatives and office bearers of the Horata Samiti to discuss the issue and extend full exemption for vehicles from the district from toll charges.

State forest minister, R Shankar, too took part in the protest held at Hejamady.

Leader of the opposition in state legislative council, Kota Srinivas Poojary, former MLA, Vinay Kumar Sorake, and others addressed the protesters. Horata Samiti vice president, Gulam Mohammed, zilla panchayat member, Shashikanth Padubidri, Dinesh Kotian, Renuka Puthran and several others took part in the protest. Shekhar Hejamady presented the programme.

Protest meetings were also held on Thursday at all the four tollgates on national highway 66 in which the participants resented improper highway works and not extending concession from toll charges for local vehicles.