Daijiworld Media Network - Brahmavar (JD/SP)

Brahmavar, Nov 26: Udupi MLA K Raghupathi Bhat, recalled that the leaders including himself had raised strong objections to collection of toll charges without completion of the highway widening work. "The contractor is responsible for the problems connected with the work. The concerned, who used police force and influence of politicians, have succeeded in setting up tollgates," he commented.

Bhat was speaking after taking part in a programme about minimising of accidents held at Brahmavar on Wednesday November 25. "Without completing the road work, they have been collecting toll charges from everyone. They even do not spare government officers. The behaviour of the toll collection firm officials leaves much to be desired. It has been two years since the underpass was built at Karavali Junction at Udupi. But so far they have not installed the lights. A time may come in which the people may hold protest and close the toll gates. If the remaining works are not completed immediately, we may have to compel the tollgates to stay closed.

“In the meetings convened by the MP and zilla panchayat, we had raised the issue and taken officials of the company to task, but the opinions and advice of people's representatives are not respected. Whenever we raise the issue, they show us an agreement and argue that they have adhered to the terms of the agreement. Top officials never attend these meetings and others who are deputed to attend the meeting do not understand any language other than English," Bhat decried.

He said that the general impression among the people is that the legislators and MPs are not taking up these issues. He said that these people have repeatedly taken up the issue and raised hue and cry. He expressed anger at the fact that works on the highway have not been completed so far. He said that the people are ready to move through the toll gates without paying the charges if the district administration withdraws the security extended to these gates.