Padayatra against bad condition of NH 66 on Sept 26th

Mangaluru: To protest against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) on failing to fill up potholes on the highway between Nanthoor and Surathkal, the Tollgate Virodhi Horata Samiti will take out a padayatra from Kulur to Surathkal on National Highway 66 on September 26^th.

A release from the Samithi stated that the padayatra will commence from 9.30 a.m. A protest meeting will be conducted near the toll gate at Surathkal at 12.30 p.m.

Two toll gates

The padayatra is also against the NHAI having two toll gates on the same highway within a distance of 10 km. Though MP Nalin had assured that the contract of collecting users’ fee at Surathkal toll gate would not be renewed, it was renewed once more from August, said the Samithi.

The Samithi urged the government to shut the toll gate at Surathkal, construct proper service roads between Nanthoor and Surathkal and build a flyover at Nanthoor Junction.

Though the NHAI was collecting users’ fee at the toll gate it had failed to fill up potholes along the stretch. The few potholes that were filled up in February-March have opened up again. NHAI is entitled to fill up potholes on toll collecting highways within 48 hours, yet it seems to be least bothered about it. Owing to the worn out stretches and potholes, driving on two bridges across the Phalguni River has become dangerous, stated the release.