Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Nov 15:  MLA Bharath Shetty has alleged that the Centre had issued a notification to have toll gates in Surathkal and Hejamady in June 2013 when the UPA government was in power.

Speaking to journalists here on Tuesday, November 15, Bharath Shetty charged that the Congress had promised to remove the toll gate at Surathkal and especially district in-charge minister U T Khadar had promised to vacate the toll plaza within 15 days.

“Why did Khadar not stop the collection of tolls then? When there was a provision to stop the collection of tolls, none could do it,” he charged.

He said toll was collected since 2015 and claimed that state BJP president and MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had given a deadline for removal of the toll gate and has fulfilled the promise. “The Congress gave the green signal for collection of tolls and we have stopped it,” Bharath Shetty claimed.

Bharath Shetty said the toll charges to be levied at Hejamady will be calculated after the gazette notification is received by the DC.

The Surathkal Toll Gate Virodhi Committee is protesting removal of the toll charges and have alleged that MLA was not supporting their cause. Bharath Shetty said why didn’t the people protest in 2013 when the Centre was ruled by UPA although the local MP was a BJP member.

He said once the notification is received, motorists can avail of a benefit for unlimited free movement of vehicles by paying Rs 314. Also, the notification will throw light on whether the toll charges will be merged with the closed toll gate.

Bharath Shetty also promised that toll charges at Hejamady gate will not be hiked. “There was a toll fee from Mangaluru to Mukka but now there is no charge. Our district is toll-free although no roads or highways are free of charge for motorists,” he said.

The MLA said crores of rupees is required for repairing the road from Brahmarakotlu to Mukka adding that the gazette notification about the toll charges is expected within a week.