Kota Bandh: Navayuga company bows down to the protestor’s demands

• Toll collection exempted within Kota district panchayat limits

Kota: Following the united, strong and violent protests against the toll collection at Sastan , the Navayuga Company was forced to bow down to the protestors and agreed to exempt private and taxi vehicles within Kota district panchayat limits from toll collection.

The protestors had demanded that they be exempted from toll collection as they had given land for construction of toll gate. Hence, feeling the rising temperature of the protests, the Navayuga Company consented to two of the three demands put forth by the protesters. Accordingly, private vehicles and taxies in Kota district panchayat limits have been exempted from toll payment.

Navayuga Company, which has been constructing four lane road for the last several years has started collecting toll even before completion of its work. Hence, since the last several months, the Toll Horata Samithi has been holding protests against the toll gate opened at Sastan on NH 66. On Friday, Kota Bandh was held with a massive support from people and several organisations. Most of the shops and offices remained closed in support of the bandh.

Toll gate gheraoed; arrested

The protesters who expressed anguish, shouted slogans demanding exemption for local vehicles and held meetings with MP Shobha Karandlaje, district MLA and deputy commissioner. They also gheraoed the toll gate as a mark of protest and were arrested. Of the arrested included MP Shobha Karandlaje, MLA Raghupathi Bhat and many others who were later released.

Who gets exemption?

Navayuga Company has consented for toll free passage to all vehicles from Mabukala to Karikalkatte. A list on tourist vehicles has been asked to be submitted to the district superintendent of police, informed Karandlaje.

Discount for taxis: Protests after Dec 22

During the deputy commissioner’s meeting, MLA Raghupati Bhat kept forth the demand that a pass should be provided at a discounted price for all the taxis in Udupi district. But the company chose to ignore the demand. Hence, another fight will be started after Dec 22^nd said MLA Bhat on behalf of the Taximen Association.