Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Aug 8: Several protests had been held against the efforts of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to construct a tollgate at Suratkal since sometime. Efforts to build this tollgate were repeatedly foiled.

In a setback to those who have been opposing this tollgate, the state high court (HC) dismissed a petition filed against the erection of tollgate on national highway 66 at Suratkal by Mumbai-based Inderdeep Construction Company. It also asked the city police commissioner here to provide security to the personnel and machinery involved with the tollgate work.

A division bench comprising acting chief justice of Karnataka HC, Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee and Justice B V Nagarathna, which heard the petition filed by Suratkal Nagarika Samiti against the construction of the tollgate, dismissed the petition, and cleared the way for the tollgate construction.

The petitioner had pointed out that as per National Highways Authority of India rules, minimum distance between two tollgates has been specified at 60 km. The Samithi argued that the distance between Suratkal toll plaza and the nearest one would be 30 km, adding that this will violate law apart from creating problems for passengers. The advocate for the petitioner had sought a stay against toll plaza construction.

The division bench, which upheld arguments put forth by advocates representing NHAI, dismissed the petition. As Inderdeep Construction Company had complained that local MLA and locals have been repeatedly obstructing construction of toll plaza, the HC instructed the city commissioner to arrange for security at the proposed tollgate.