Mass protest begins against Belman tollgate

Karkala: The mass protest opposing the state government’s decision to collect toll from the commuters in Belman with effect from October 15^th started here on Sunday, October 7. The protest call was given by Belman Tollgate Kendra Horata Samiti,

Scores of people from 27 neighbouring villages are expected to take part in the scheduled mass protest. Many organisations have voluntarily joined the protest including religious centres, vehicle owners associations, social organizations, bus owner’s association, auto unions, various local organizations, elected representatives and others.

N Suhas Hegde, president of the Horata samithi has earlier said that government had taken a hasty decision to construct a Tollgate near Government junior college, Belman on the state highway that connects Padubidri and Karkala giving a shock to the people of Belman and neighbouring villages. Government has secretly tendered the contract to Mithra Info Solutions to collect toll with effect from October 15^th, alleged the Samithi.

The demand

The government should cancel the tender immediately and forgo plans to collect toll on this highway, demand of the protestors.