Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (MS)

Karkala, Oct 3: The process of installing tollgate at Belman, which was stopped earlier due to huge protest by the public, is restarted again. Vehicles plying on state highway 1 on Karkala - Padubidri stretch have to pay toll from October 15. The toll fee and other details of the toll gate, which will be built near the Government Pre-university College at Belman, are published in the newspapers of Tuesday, October 2.

An agreement in this regard has been signed between Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) and Mithra Info Solution of Mysuru, the company which has taken the contract to collect the toll. As per the information given by Nishit Kumar, planning commissioner of the company, there is no need to obtain No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the local panchayat in this regard. Nishit also said that a Gazette Notification has been taken out on this matter and there is no toll for two-wheelers, auto rickshaws and vehicles owned by people living under the local panchayat limits.

Belman - File photo

Protest likely by local organizations

Earlier there was a proposal to build a tollgate in front of the Belman church, which was cancelled because of the protest held by the public. However, now the present process has got the go-ahead and also the date of starting toll collection is fixed and there is a likelihood of local organizations staging a protest. There is a possibility that Karkala MLA, Belman panchayat president and members, members of zilla, taluk and local panchayat and other organizations are likely to unite and hold a protest against the toll collection.

Parking lot built at a cost of Rs 17 lac to be affected

The roadside area beside the highway in front of the Government Pre-university College, Belman was cleaned and the work of building a systematic parking space, which was the dream of Belman market of many years, was completed at a cost of Rs 17 lac. Now the people are outraged that the tollgate is being set up at the same place.

Disturbance to college and temple

The proposed toll gate is near the Government Pre-university College and will definitely affect the students and the activities of the college. The road which turns to Sri Durgaparameshwari temple will also get affected due to this location of the toll gate.

Line of toll gates, pinch to vehicle riders

Already there are two toll gates at Suratkal and Hejamady on the Mangaluru - Karkala route. If the Belman toll gate also starts operating, it will mean an extra burden on the wallets of the vehicle drivers and owners, who are already reeling under the price rise of petrol and diesel.