Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Nov 30: Members of National Highway Awareness Committee along with other like-minded organizations organised a public protest meeting near Sastan tollgate on NH 66 here on Wednesday November 30 demanding that vehicles bearing KA 20 (Udupi) registration passing through the newly-laid highway be made toll-free and pressed for swift completion of road works. The NHAI is yet to start collecting fee on this stretch, as the central government has announced toll waiver on national highways till December 2 due to demonetisation.

Rajesh Cauvery, Kundapur addressing the protesters said, "Those who have lost land on account of road broadening have not received any compensation so far. The plan is completely unscientific as it will give rise to accidents due to the flow of monsoon water onto the roads. The committee has submitted an appeal to all the representatives concerned, but has not received a proper response from them yet.

"While working on the highway, bus shelters, service or approach roads, drainage, streetlights and many other amenities were demolished. Until the pending works are complete, the committee members will not allow them to collect toll fee," he asserted.

Committee president Pratap Shetty said, "The NHAI has decided to collect toll charge at Sastan, Gundmi gate from December 2 without taking the public into confidence."

Alwyn Andrade said, "Navayuga company has not completed the basic infrastructure for the highway. An unscientific U-turn was created for the public at Brahmavar, just in front of the hospital, but now it poses danger. Road work must begin at Padubidri. The highway work has not yet begun. Work on the four lane from Suratkal to Kundapur is incomplete. Also, there is no footpath for commuters in certain places," he added.

Demands put forth by the committee:

1. Relaxation of toll fee on locally registered vehicles (KA 20 - Udupi RTO jurisdiction).

2. Flyovers to be constructed in places like Ambalpady, Kota Murkai, Basrur junction and a few other places. Navayuga Company Limited has not constructed any drainage and this will affect the public during the monsoon. Streetlight works are pending in places like Sastan, Saligrama, Kota, Brahmavar, Katapady and others.

3. National Highway Authority of India has suggested to Navayuga Company to construct a shelter, underpass or flyovers and shelter for a rickshaw stand, goods vehicles and tourist vehicles.

4. No construction work has begun at Padubidri. NHAI should pay attention to correcting the errors and completing them as soon as possible.

5. Finally the committee demanded relaxation of toll fee on KA-20 registered vehicles.

"If NH Authority of India's officers do not fulfil any of the demands, we will take strong steps to protect the interests of the public in the days to follow," the committee warned.

Vittal Poojary, committee secretary, Ravi Shetty, district president Karmika Rakshan Vedike, Satish Mutlupady of Raitha Sangha, Praveen Suvarna Udupi, Prakash Shetty, Krishna Salian, Bannady Somanath Hegde, Ramakrishna Herale and others were present.