Gadkari to consider extending toll exemption

Udupi: In the backdrop of the mega protests staged by members of the Rashtriya Heddari Jagriti Samiti and other like-minded organisations at Sasthan and Hejmady toll plazas in Udupi district on Thursday, it is learnt that Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has promised to extend the exemption for local vehicles.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel conveyed the assurance given by the union minister to Dr Deviprasad Shetty, who led the protests here over the telephone. A meeting in this regard will be held at Bengaluru on September 24 with the participation of all the stakeholders, he further informed.

Protestors have been expressing ire over the toll collection at these plazas since most of the works viz road widening, construction of service roads, overbridges among other things on the National Highway 66 have not yet been completed, though the deadline for the same was over.

Speaking at the protest leader of the opposition in state legislative council, Kota Srinivas Poojary said that Navayuga Company should exempt vehicles bearing KA 20 registration from the toll charges till September 30 in the district. On September 30 a meeting will be held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office where further course of action will be decided, he added.