Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Feb 12: Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari has promised to convene a special meeting with the officials of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to consider the possibility of closure of the Suratkal tollgate that is located on the highway between the city and Udupi.

The Action Committee Against Suratkal Tollgate had recently opposed the introduction of FASTag at the tollgate, calling it 'illegal'. The committee has stated that the NHAI had initially decided to install Suratkal tollgate temporarily, and then decided to merge it with Hejamady tollgate, but both these tollgates are still functioning separately.

A meeting of Karnataka MPs was held under the leadership of MP and state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel at the residence of the minister at New Delhi. Various topics including national highways were discussed. The union minister is learnt to have responded positively to several projects mooted by the delegation.

Tender process has been completed for the widening the road between BC Road and Addahole on national highway 75 and on the stretch of national highway 169 between Sannur and Bikarnakatte. The minister said that the Bharatmala project under which Mulky - Kateel - Kaikamba - Polali - B C Road - Panemangalore - Thokkottu connecting road which is now two-way road, would be upgraded as four-lane road.

Gadkari also promised Kateel to upgrade the Mani - Mysuru state highway into a four-lane road till Kushalnagar from Mani soon.

Union minister for mines, coal and parliamentary affairs Prahlad Joshi was present at the meeting.