Toll compulsory for local private vehicles at Surathkal

Surathkal: Come March 1^st, all private cars bearing KA 19 registration will compulsorily have to pay toll at Surathkal toll plaza.

Daily, close 3,000 local vehicles pass through the toll gate. Because of this the company is facing a daily loss of Rs 3 lakh. This decision has been taken to rectify this, said Keshav Agarwal Company which recently took over the contract.

Local cars bearing KA 19 within 20 kms limit will have to buy a monthly pass of Rs 255 and can then pass through the toll plaza with no limits. Without the pass, Rs 50 needs to be paid every time. As per the national highway department notification, cars, jeeps and small vehicles will have to pay a fee of Rs 50 for one way and Rs 75 for coming back.

Previously, as a result of the fight by the locals, the district administration intervened and directed that the locals be exempted from toll fee. Now, in the backdrop of loss, the company has decided to pullback the exemption.