Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Nov 20: Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the district, Priyanka Mary Francis, stated that the district administration is now under compulsion to cooperate with Navayuga Company which has been entrusted with the right to collect toll charges in its toll plazas in the district. She said that both the union ministry of transport and National Highways Authority of India have permitted Navayuga to collect toll charges although the road works have not been finished.

She said that Navayuga Company has complained to the state government, pointing out that the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of the district have not been extending cooperation to it.

The DC was replying to questions raised by media persons during the district administration's programme held on Monday January 19 at Hejamady gram panchayat near Padubidri. "Navayuga has also applied for arbitration against the government. If its allegations are proved, crores of rupees would have to be paid to the company by way of fine,” she said.

“It is true that road works have not yet been fully completed by the company, and the district administration had reported about it to the government. But we have no other go but to support the company in collecting toll charges including from local vehicles," she explained.

The DC also said that Navayuga has told the district administration that they do not have absolute hold on the toll charges collected, as banks adjust the collections made towards loans raised by the company.

In reply to a question, she said that she has brought to the notice of the superintendent of police about the fact that private vehicles, auto rickshaws etc are found parked on service roads built by Navayuga at Padubidri, Katpadi and other places.

Tollgate Action Committee of the twin-districts said that Navayuga Company has not properly undertaken works on national highway. The committee's office bearers insisted that the district administration should not allow collection of toll charges on local vehicles.

Insisting that they would not budge from this stand, they wanted both the MPs from the coast to keep their promise made in the past. They also wanted the Navayuga Company to meet its promises made in the meetings held at the office of the deputy commissioner earlier. They warned to hold protests and agitations if the company fails to keep its own promises.