Janagraha Sabhe demanding closure of Surathkal tollgate receives huge public support

Surathkal: The ‘Janagraha Sabhe’ organized by the Surathkal Tollgate Virodhi Horata Samiti in front of the Surathkal Toll gate demanding the removal of the toll gate and also to recall the decision of collecting toll from local vehicles from Mar 1^st has received huge public support.

During the meeting with the public, decision that were taken include the closure of the tollgate and its immediate vacation as per the decision taken by NHAI. Toll should not be collected from local vehicles until the toll gate is closed. Representatives of more than 30 associations and organizations voiced their opinion in the meeting.

The protestors warned that despite the demand made by the public, if the toll is collected from the local vehicles from March 1^st, protest will be carried out without paying the toll. During the meeting it was decided by the people to go to any extent to prevent toll collection from local vehicles.

Speaking on the occasion, convener of the Tollgate Virodhi Horata Samiti Munir Katipalla gave the introductory speech and said, “It is the utter failure of MP Nalin Kumar Kateel to allow the tollgate at Surathkal to function even after the decision was taken to close the same a year ago. The statement given by MLA Bharat Shetty that he will break the tollgate if the toll is collected from the local vehicles is not correct. MLAs and MPs should be able to implement the law and rules. If the people’s representatives would have performed their duties properly, there was no need for the vehicle riders to get on the road and protest for the waiver of toll fee. The tollgate would not be in existence at all. At least now, the MLA should join hands with the MP and implement the decision taken to close the Surathkal toll gate,” pointed out Munir.