Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 1: Chaos prevailed at the tollgate located near National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Suratkal on Friday April 1, after a bus conductor reportedly objected to hike in toll fares, with the result that service buses went off roads in protest.

Toll charges have been revised at the tollgate located at NIT-K from Friday April 1 onward. It is said that approval for the same had been given for this hike in advance.

After the conductor of a private service bus operating between the city and Udupi objected to the hike, a quarrel arose between him and the staff manning the tollgate. The two sides came to blows, after which the buses went off the roads as a measure of protest against what they termed as highhandedness of tollgate personnel.

Initially even express buses had decided to stay away. After passengers including students pleaded with the concerned about the problems they have to face because of their sudden action, city buses and express buses have been moving about normally. The employees manning service buses, however, have stayed firm on their resolve not to ply till the issue is settled.

Discussions are between the parties concerned at Suratkal police station in the presence of police sub-inspector, Cheluvaraju. There are hopes of the issue getting sorted out shortly.