Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Aug 15: Lakshmi Hebbalkar, minister of women and Child Development and In-charge Minister of Udupi district, visited the site of the protest against the proposed toll gate on the Padubidri-Bellannu-Karkala State Highway and received a memorandum from the local residents.

Speaking at the site, the minister stated that it is not appropriate to construct a toll gate amidst local opposition. She expressed that it is unreasonable to expect residents to pay toll charges multiple times a day for a road they use daily. The Minister assured the protesters that she would discuss the matter with the concerned ministers and officials.

"I have never gone back on my word," she said, citing the recent example of the cancellation of the Brahmavar Agriculture Diploma College's closure order last month. "As promised, the staff are now at ease. Similarly, I will stand with the people on the toll gate issue," she added.

Present at the event were Kaup MLA Suresh Shetty Gurme, deputy commissioner Dr K Vidyakumari, district police superintendent Dr K Arun, zilla panchayat CEO Prateek Boyal, and leader Prasad Kanchan.

Before visiting the protest site, minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar attended to public grievances at her residence in Udupi city. She patiently listened to the concerns of the gathered crowd and Congress workers, ensuring that their issues were heard.

She was briefed on the current affairs of the district by DC Dr K Vidyakumari and SP Dr K Arun. Congress leaders Uday Kumar Shetty and Ramesh Kanchan were also present.