Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady
Beltangady, March 25: Tensions over proposed toll infrastructure intensified after a delegation from the Brahmarakootlu Toll Gate Removal Struggle Committee visited the construction site at Panakaje near Madanthyaru in Belthangady taluk and alleged that the project is “illegal”.
Addressing the public after inspecting the site, CPI(M) Dakshina Kannada district secretary, Surathkal Toll Gate Virodhi Samiti convenor and activist Munir Katipalla said that the toll gate being constructed at Panakaje on the BC Road–Charmadi route, which falls under the State transport department, is unlawful. He announced that a padayatra would be organised in April against illegal toll gates across the district.
He said that people of Dakshina Kannada are trapped in a “chakravyuha” of toll gates and alleged that the central government has mistaken the peaceful protests of the public as a sign of weakness. “Indiscriminate construction of toll gates is testing our patience. Our patience has its limits,” he warned, adding that the April padayatra would send a strong message of unity to the central government.
Former minister B Ramanath Rai said that, as per Union government norms, toll gates should be established at intervals of 60 km, but in reality they are being set up within 30–40 km. He alleged that toll plazas meant for national highways are now being constructed even on two-lane roads under the State transport department, terming it unfortunate. He stressed that a united, non-partisan struggle is necessary to oppose such developments.
The delegation included Toll Gate Removal Struggle Committee convenors B. Shekhar and Mohan Shetty Panjikallu, Panemangalore Block Congress president Chandrashekar Bhandary, Bantwal Block Congress president Balakrishna Anchean, Belthangady Block Congress president Nagesh Kumar Gowda, District Guarantee Implementation Committee vice-president Shekhar Kukkeadi, former Zilla Panchayat members Padmashekhar Jain and K K Shahul Hameed, CPI leaders Suresh Kumar and Bharathi Prashanth, Samana Manaska Vedike member Harish B C Road, CPI(M) leader Shekhar Layila, Guarantee Implementation Committee president Padmanabha Salian, leaders Aravind Jain, Praveen Fernandes Hallimane, Chittaranjan Shetty Bondala, Raja Chendtimar, Sudeep Shetty Mani, Lukman Bantwal, Shabir Siddakatte, Prajwal Shetty, Rajashekar Shetty Madanthyaru, Baby Suvarna, Ravindra Amin Balengi, Abdul Rahiman Padpu, Chandrahassa Kede, Vincent D’Souza, Shyam Prasad Sampigethaya, Mohammed Ali, Shareef Sabarbailu, SDPI national secretary Alphonse Frank, Gerald Koreya, Nagesh, Haider Ali, Mohammed, Rajashekar Shetty, B. Abbonu, Kotyappa Poojary Parenki, Ashok Poojary Olagudde, Albert Menezes, Adam Kunhi, Umesh Bolanthuru, Sadashiva Bangera, along with residents of Parenki, Kukkala, Maladi and Sonandoor villages.