Media Release
Udupi, Aug 18: Udupi deputy commissioner Swaroopa T K said on Tuesday that the district administration would write to the secretary of the Public Works Department recommending that the toll concession available to local residents at the Sasthan and Shiroor toll plazas be extended to residents living within the Hejamady toll plaza limits.
She was speaking at a meeting held at the deputy commissioner’s office at Rajathadri, Manipal, to discuss issues related to toll collection on national highways.
The meeting was convened following complaints that local residents near the Hejamady toll plaza are being charged toll fees every time they cross the plaza, despite similar concessions being available at Sasthan and Shiroor.
At Sasthan, local residents within a 10-km radius are provided toll exemption. Residents from the Hejamady area urged the administration to implement a similar system at Hejamady, stating that they often have to cross the toll plaza multiple times a day for their routine activities.
Swaroopa said the district administration would submit a recommendation to the Public Works Department Secretary seeking a suitable toll exemption or a monthly pass facility for local vehicles and registered vehicles within the specified area.
The deputy commissioner also directed National Highway authorities and contractors to expedite the construction of service roads on stretches of NH 66 where permission has already been granted.
She stressed the need to prioritise road safety measures, including the installation of road reflectors and streetlights, repair of potholes, drainage works and proper signage at junctions. Such measures would help prevent accidents, she said.
Residents living near the Hejamady toll plaza, representatives of various organisations, elected representatives and former representatives also submitted several grievances. Apart from seeking toll concessions, they demanded service roads on certain stretches of NH 66, streetlights, and better and more courteous conduct by toll plaza staff.
Superintendent of police Hariram Shankar, Additional deputy commissioner Abid Gadyal, PWD executive engineer Kiran S, NHAI project director Abdul Javed, engineers, district-level officials and members of the public were present.