Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Aug 24: A large protest took place in Kanchinadka, Padubidri, on Saturday, August 24, organised by the Padubidri-Belman-Karkala Toll Gate Agitation Committee.

The demonstration, attended by over 500 people, opposed the installation of a new toll plaza on the Padubidri-Belman-Karkala highway, just 6 kilometers from the existing Padubidri toll gate.

The protest featured a formal event followed by a rally from Kanchinadka to Padubidri junction, with participants chanting slogans demanding the cancellation of the new toll plaza.

Suhas Hegde, president of the agitation committee, stated, “The struggle to remove the toll gate that has come to our town has been strengthened by the fact that everyone has joined hands regardless of the party. The installation has been temporarily suspended, but our protest will continue until the toll installation is permanently cancelled. We will be submitting a memorandum to the DC requesting the permanent removal of the toll plaza.”

MP Kota Shrinivas Poojary addressed the crowd, saying, “The Public Works Department (PWD) has already issued an order for the temporary cancellation of the toll gate. But this order should be cancelled forever and published in the State Gazette. We will meet the minister to insist on this.”

Kaup MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty remarked, “The beginning of something bigger is often a small step. Today, everyone joined this protest against the toll plaza affecting 40 villages. The toll gate order will be permanently abolished in the future. For now, the order is temporarily on hold. This fight will continue until the gazette notification cancels the toll on the Karkala-Padubidri road.”

Congress leader Uday Shetty Muniyal praised Suhas Hegde for his leadership, saying, “Suhas has shown how everyone must unite and protest against activities that harm people. He will always come forward whenever we face problems. All must unite and not allow for the installation of a toll plaza.”

Former MLA Raghupathi Bhat stated, “We will extend support from the taximen’s association for this protest. The toll will largely affect taxi drivers. Our tax is classified as commercial, so we do not receive any pass and must pay the toll. Authorities have rules for tolls when passing tenders, but installing a toll on this 10-meter-wide road is unjust. Staging a protest before the toll’s installation is right. If it is not withdrawn, it will be a future threat, so we need to protest until the order is permanently rescinded.”

JD(S) district president Yogish Shetty Kaup said, “If we publicly protest, it will immediately reach the responsible person. This protest is against the installation of any tolls in Udupi district. We do not want a temporary solution; we want it permanently removed. If we continue our protest, the toll will be permanently removed.”

MLC Dhananjay Sarjee criticised the timing of the toll, noting, “The toll is typically built on highways to recover the spent amount, based on the length of the road. But this road was built 11 years ago, and installing a toll now is condemnable. Many small-scale business people and the poor will suffer due to this toll.”

Fr Fredrick D'Souza, Parish Priest of Mudarangadi Church, emphasised, “This is our protest for people, not against people. The soul of everyone is here; no law can go against the soul of people. Toll gates cannot be installed here and should not be. Our move is towards humanity and justice. I am always with you.”

Sri Eshavittaladas Swamiji of Kemaru Sandeepani Sadhanashrama Math remarked, “Today everyone united, regardless of caste, creed, or political party. This is work favored by God. This protest succeeded because God is at the forefront. This toll is for looting the people of DK. This district should become toll-free. We must stand against injustice, and this unity must be maintained.”

Mamatha Devi, additional deputy commissioner, stated, “The Udupi in-charge minister Lakshmi Hebbalkar and other authorities inspected the region on August 15 and addressed the problems faced by people here. I, personally, have issued a letter from PWD for a temporary hold on the order and will meet with all authorities to discuss the issues. The Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd has also temporarily halted the work order given to the company. The department will try its best to address all the demands raised here.”

After the formal event, the committee and other participants submitted a memorandum to Mamatha Devi. Notable attendees included Prathibha R, Tahshildar Kaup, police officers Neetha Patel and Jayashree, President Block Congress Kaup Naveen Chandra Shetty, former MLA Lalaji R Mendon, president, KMF K Sucharitha Shetty, and other local leaders and organisations.