Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Oct 26: Even as the agitation seeking to dismantle the tollgate at Suratkal has picked up momentum, the expectation that this tollgate would be merged with the one at Hejamady has been belied. On Wednesday October 24, a new company has been granted tender to operate this tollgate.

The fight being carried out by the anti tollgate committee in the meantime, entered fourth day on Thursday. Under instructions from the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, assistant commissioner here, Ravichandra Nayak, reached the spot and held talks with the representatives of the agitators.

Former MLA, Vijayakumar Shetty, and Muneer Katipalla brought to the attention of the assistant commissioner about the reality and history behind this tollgate. They pointed out that it was first of all illegal to have set up the tollgate within the city limits, and that the minimum gap as per stipulations between two tollgates has not been maintained as Hejamady tollgate is located just ten kilometres away from here. They said that the state government had, during January last, recommended for the merger of Hejamady tollgate and Suratkal tollgate, but the highway authority and union department for roads and highways has not approved the same so far. They expressed their determination to carry on with their fight till the tollgate is closed down.

Ravichandra Nayak told them that the documents about the tollgate and demand for scrapping it will be verified and forwarded to the state government through the deputy commissioner. He said it will be brought to the notice of the government that tollgate has been stationed within the city corporation limits and toll charges are being collected.

Former deputy mayor, Purushotham Chitrapur and T N Ramesh, in the meanwhile, sought resignation of MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, for having backtracked from his assurance to close this tollgate. Hussain Katipalla recited a poem penned by him. Former president of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and advocate, Sulaj R Kini, expressed support to the agitators.

Revathi, Dayanand Shetty, Y Ramananda Rao, Y Raghavendra and others were present. Revenue officer, Naveen, accompanied the assistant commissioner.