Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Jul 4: In a meeting chaired by DC Vidya Kumari at the DC office in Manipal on Thursday, July 4, the Toll Plaza Horata Samithi of Hejamadi and Sasthana demanded parity in toll exemption.

Naveen Chandra Shetty, former taluk panchayat member, accused the district administration of bias, alleging unequal treatment in toll exemptions. He highlighted the disparity in toll-free distance, stating, "The toll-free distance is limited only to Hejamadi residents with only 1 km of exemption compared to 6 km in Shasthana. If we are not given justice then we will hold fierce protests on the same."

Shekhar Hejamadi, president, Hejamadi Toll Gate Horata committee, expressed disappointment over the administration's decision, saying, "We placed a request in the meeting to extend the toll-free distance in Hejamadi, but they continued the Shasthana 5-km toll-free distance and Hejamadi toll-free distance is only limited to Hejamadi. We will hold a meeting in the presence of MLA and district officials and place the same request again."

Shyam Sundar Nyeri, president, National Highway Horata committee, Shasthana, stated, "In the meeting they stated about placing toll on commercial vehicles, we did not agree to it and placed our objection on it. Therefore the old procedure in Shastana toll gate will continue, as stated by the DC. And according to the GPS system the toll will start once they enter the national highway."

The consultation meeting convened by Vidya Kumari, DC regarding National Highway grievances addressed a range of issues including infrastructure deficiencies along the national highway and toll gate operations. Officials assured the attendees that all highway-related problems would be resolved within three months.

District administration officials, district superintendents of police, tahsildar, Brahmavara circle inspector, Kota police station officials, RTO officials, National Highway project officers and toll officers were present.

After a lot of discussion, the DC announced that the toll fee exemption for local vehicles in Sastana will continue as before.

Sasthana committee members, Pratap Shetty, Alvein Andrade, Nagaraj Ganiga, Acchut Poojary, Sandeep Kodi, Mahabala Poojary Waddarse, and Hejamadi committee members, Gulam Mohammad, Madhu Acharya, Naveen Chandra Shetty, Santhosh Padubidri, Dinesh Kotian, Paduranga Karkera, Sudeer Karkera, Ashok Salian, Y Sukumar, Shafi Padubidri, Rameez, Hassan Kodi and others were present in this meeting.