Daijiworld Media Network - Kaup (SP)

Kaup, Jan 3: People from around Hejamady and other parts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts held protest demonstration at Hejamady toll plaza on Wednesday January 2, demanding waiver of toll collection from local vehicles and meeting of other long pending demands. The protest, held under the leadership of Gulam Muhammed, vice president of Hejamady Tollgate and Rashtreeya Heddari Horata Samiti, was attended by hundreds of activists of the Samiti as well as Mulky Nagarika Samiti.

The protesters demanded for the removal of the tollgate at Hejamady as it has been giving rise to traffic blocks,, and sought improvement of basic facilities at the gate. "The already delayed works on national highway and service road in the twin-districts have to be completed at the earliest. Vehicles from Hejamady, Padubidri, Yermal, Uchila, Palimar, Mulky and Haleangady areas should be exempted from toll charges. As promised by Navayuga company in previous meetings, construction of service road near Hejamady Kannangar Bypass and skywalk near Shivanagara should be undertaken," the protesters demanded. They submitted a memorandum containing these demands to the deputy commissioners of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, in-charge minsters, and people's representatives, through revenue inspector here, Ravishankar.

Mulky town panchayat president, Sunil Alva, ShekharHejamady, Madhu Acharya, Sudhkar Karkera, Siddique Talapady and others were present.

Assistant superintendent of police, Krishnakanth, and circle inspector, Mahesh Prasad, monitored security arrangements around the tollgate.