Protest against NITK tollgate: DC orders status quo

Mangaluru: The decision to collect toll charges from vehicles bearing KA 19 (Mangaluru) registrations with effect from July 16 at the NITK tollgate, Surathkal attracted separate protests from general public, Congress party and the BJP, opposing the proposal. On Tuesday morning, protestors gathered in large numbers at the tollgate expressed resentment at the levying of toll fee on local vehicles.

Speaking at the protest, Anti Toll Action Committee convener Muneer Katipalla said that the protesters have secured temporary victory for their fight as Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, U T Khader, intervened on the issue and made sure district administration denied right to collect toll fee from local vehicles. The district administration has asked the firm which has got contract to run the tollgate at NITK to maintain status quo till further orders, he added.

Stating that the district administration had earlier permitted collection of toll fee from local vehicles under police protection, Mr Muneer said that this looting at the toll plaza can be stopped permanently of the MP Nalin and MLA Bharat took Cue of from minister Khader and discharged their responsibilities at the central government level honestly.

Speaking at the protest, youth Congress leader, Mithun Rai pointed out that the highway was in a despicable condition, and day-night protest held for ten days a few months back against this tollgate has been overlooked, therefore called upon the people to hit the MP with footwear.

A protest against the toll was also organised by BJP workers who raised slogans and protested.