NITK tollgate issue to be decided at meeting with Gadkari: Nalin Kumar Kateel

Bantwal: The decision on stopping or continuing the highway toll gate at NITK will be decided at the meeting with Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari on March 15, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said on Saturday.

“A complaint was lodged with Nitin Gadkari about the tollgate when he visited Mangaluru recently. Based on the inputs, he has called a meeting on March 15 at 2.30 pm. All concerned officials of the state will participate and a clear decision will be taken,” Nalin said.

Speaking to newspersons at Ammunje, Nalin elaborated that the issue pertains to different contractors that were roped in to build the national highway. The highway from BC till NITK, Mukka was built by IRCON, who built the tolls at NITK and Brahmarakotlu. The highway stretch from Talapady to Hejamady, Kundapur was built under a BOT (build operate transfer) scheme by Navayuga.

Further, Nalin said that the legal and financial issues with delaying the decision on stopping toll collection at NITK. “We have held 2-3 meetings with concerned officials of the government. There are a lot of legal problems, as well as, issues related to monetary compensation to contractors. A decision can be arrived at only after sorting out the legal hurdles,” he added.