Toll gate controversy: Confusion continues

• A little exemption for local 3 villages at Sasthan toll gate; Company listens to the demands at Padubidri

Kota/Padubidri: The protest against the collection of toll from locals at Sasthan and Padubidri toll gates stepped into its second day on Tuesday, November 27 and confusion still persists. Meanwhile, in the backdrop of the protest at Sasthan toll gate, a little exemption has been given to three villages in its vicinity. But, at Padubidri, the highway contract company Navayuga has failed to take any such measures.

On Monday, when the toll collection was started at Sasthan toll gate under heavy police presence, the Highway Awareness Committee conducted a massive protest and in response, the police took into custody all the protestors and transferred them to a private hall at Brahmavar. However, the protestors continued their protest well into the night and dispersed only after the request of higher officials of the police. Kota Srinivas Poojary held a meeting with the protestors and the DC and SP requested the chief secretary of the highway department to provide some discount.

Peaceful protest

The protest at Padubidri was conducted peacefully on Tuesday. Kaup MLA Lalaji Mendon, Dr Deviprasad Shetty, Moodbidri MLA Umanath Kotian addressed the meeting. Local leaders took part in the protest. The protestors shouted slogans against the district administration and the police system. Close to 3 battalions of KSRP and 500 policemen were additionally kept ready.

Excessive damage: Kota

Legislative Council opposition leader Kota Srinivas Poojary expressed his outrage and said that the damage caused by the toll company at Sasthan and Hejmady has become excessive. It is an extraordinary time where the people of the same village have to pay toll to go and come to the market.

The Public works Department is in-charge of the national highway-related works in the state and the department’s chief secretary Krishna Reddy had given assurance that a discount will be given to vehicle owners within the 10kms limits of the toll gate and yet the government has no control over this. The protestors who are fighting against the toll have been taken into custody even before they raised their voice. If a discount is not given to vehicle owners within 20 kms of the toll gate, the people’s representatives will support the protestors, warned Kota

A little exemption

The non-commercial vehicles from local Gundmi, Irodi and Pandeshwara village have been exempted from toll. But, an exemption has not been provided to people of Mudahadu village which is within the vicinity of the toll gate and the confusion of giving exemption to commercial vehicles has continued.

Discussion on the next fight

The police security cover which was provided to the toll gate has been reduced on Tuesday and now a small security force has been deployed. The highway awareness committee conducted a meeting on Tuesday evening at Sasthan regarding the future steps on the fight.