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Forced collection of toll at Surathkal tollgate will attract struggle: Samithi

Mangaluru: If the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the district administration decide to use force to collect toll from KA 19 registered private vehicles, a struggle will be launched along with like-minded organisations, said Muneer Katipalla, convener of the Surathkal Toll Virodhi Horata Samithi presiding over the Samithi meeting on Sunday.

He pointed out that NHAI had gone back from the promise made by the then Private Secretary to Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on February 28 assuring that the Surathkal Toll Plaza would be closed and merged with the one at Brahmarakootlu on NH 75. He informed that the contract for toll collection at Surathkal ends in October this year and alleged that NHAI is attempting to continue the Toll Plaza forever through its sinister plans.

It is ridiculous to collect toll from vehicles at Surathkal as NHAI has failed to provide the required infrastructure for the four-lane highway, including service roads from Nanthoor to Mukka; constructing a safe bridge in lieu of the dilapidated one at Kulur; fixing pot-holes on carriageways, said Mr Katipalla.

During the meeting it was decided that a petition will be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner on Monday urging him to recall the order extending police protection for toll collection; to take steps for merger of the Surathkal plaza with Hejmady/Brahmarakootlu plaza and apprise the Union and State governments of the failure of NHAI in providing proper connectivity.