Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Mar 4: People's representatives from the twin-districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada have urged the state government to provide free travel for the local citizens in Gundmi, Hejamady, Suratkal and Talapady tollgates built along national highway 66.

This demand was placed during the meeting held here with the participation of secretary in public works department and representatives of Navayuga company that is authorized to collect toll charges. The representatives wanted free access to vehicles bearing registration numbers KA 19 (Mangaluru) and KA 20 (Udupi) in all these four tollgates. They pointed out that two tollgates have been built at Hejamady and Suratkal within a distance of 12 km, and sought scrapping of one of them.

The representatives also pointed out that currently, only two gates of these tollgates are opened for vehicular movement, which gives rise to long line of waiting vehicles and traffic congestion. They urged the officials to ensure that all the gates are open.

Secretary in public works department, Laxminarayana, has instructed the representnatives of Navayuga to maintain status quo as of now, as per which local vehicles are allowed free passage through these toll gates. It is gathered that about the demand to allow free movement for even commercial vehicles, the concerned have promised to take a decision after holding detailed discussions.