Pic: Trupthi Poojary
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Feb 14: Following intense protests against the collection of toll at Gundmi and Hejamady, and criticism of the district authorities, particularly the DC for not responding to the demands of the public, deputy commissioner T Venkatesh on Tuesday February 14 convened a press meet to clarify the stand of the district administration on the issue.
"The district administration has received a memorandum from Navyuga Company which mentions that the NHAI and the state government have an agreement which states that in case of any problem while collecting toll, the district administration should provide police protection. If the district administration fails to give police protection, it is liable to face court case," Venkatesh said.
"Section 144 was imposed at toll gates to protect public property. One thing I wish to clear is that I have no role in disputes regarding collection of toll charges in Hejamady and Gundmi toll gates. We have constructed an extra service road on the demands of the people.
"We have not completed 6.6 km of road. Nearly 65.5 km has been completed on Hejamady -Kundapur stretch. The remaining stretch has not been completed due to technical issues.
"A stretch of 3.2 km in Padubidri and 2.4 km in Udupi Karavali bypass are under construction. As many as six bridges have been built according to the agreement with Navayuga company. The remaining work will be finished as soon as possible. In Kundapur, the company has constructed a flyover as per the demands of the public," he said.
"Navayuga company will not collect the toll fee from K 20 vehicles till February 25. In Suratkal there is no free toll pass for local vehicles," he added.
He also said that he has received calls of 'transfer' from higher officials over the toll issue.
Moving on to other issues, he said, "The state government has announced Udupi as a drought-hit due to lack of rainfall. The government has sanctioned Rs two crore as relief fund.
"The state government has banned digging of borewells in all the 30 districts. Now it has given special consideration to DK and Udupi. The administration is distributing drinking water with the help of tankers," he added.
Additional DC Anuradha and other officers were present during the press meet.