Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Aug 31: The Toll Gate Virodhi Horata Samithi led by its president Muneer Katipalla visited the closed Surathkal toll gate on Thursday August 31. He said that he suspects it to re-open after works have been undertaken pertaining to the same.

Nine months ago, Surathkal toll gate was shut down after severe protest by the Samithi and locals. There was also a demand to remove the toll gate structure at the spot which was causing danger to the motorists. Several accidents were reported due to potholes in the surroundings of the toll gate.

Speaking to media, Muneer Katipalla said, “After seven years of protest by the Toll Gate Virodhi Horata Samithi and locals, the Surathkal toll gate was shut down, nine months ago. After the closure, the Surathkal toll gate structure was not removed. It was in a dilapidated situation and on the verge of collapsing. The road here was filled with potholes leading to several accidents. Further, there were no sign boards at toll gate which led to accidents during the night.

“Now the road has been concretized which is a good sign. But the development works like retaining the lines and installing new pillars force one to suspect that Surathkal toll gate may re-open again. The Toll Gate Virodhi Horata Samithi will never allow the re-opening of Surathkal toll gate,” he said.