Media Release

Bantwal, Apr 1: Aam Aadmi Party, Dakshina Kannada achieved a major success on Tuesday April 1 in convincing deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim to exercise his powers to stay the increase in Mangalore-Bangalore National Highway 48 toll charges.

AAP volunteers headed by M R Vasudeva protested at the Brahmakootlu toll gate to register their objection. This toll increase was put into effect without any prior notice to the public. A volunteer arriving at the AAP office produced a receipt showing the increase and that is how AAP district unit found out.

"People traveling from and to Mangalore were taken completely by surprise when they found that the toll charges had almost doubled,” said a senior citizen who travels by this route regularly.

"The government just can't spring surprises on the people like this. Our immediate response was to make our position very clear in objecting to this increase. We contacted deputy commissioner  A B Ibrahim and appraised him of the situation. The DC took prompt action and stayed the price increase," said M R Vasudeva.

The Election Commission clearly states that no price adjustments can be made during the election period. AAP strongly condemned the price increase and said that it believes there are hidden motives prompting it.

"This is a classic case of "bid low" and "jack up" the price later with some bogus justification given. Public-private-partnership ventures such as this should open their books periodically for auditing to verify costs incurred in operation, maintenance and recovery of investment,” said Rajan Shastri, an AAP volunteer. "April 1 seems to be the day when attempts are made to make fools of people," he added.