Hariprasad Nandalike

Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (EP)

Karkala, May 28: There were high hopes among villagers that the plans for the proposed tollgate at Belman Market on Karkala-Padubidri state highway would be given up due to protests by locals or Lok Sabha elections. However, a survey work conducted secretly for the proposed tollgate was found here on Monday, May 27.

There was news that Mysuru based Mithra Info Solutions which had taken up contract for collection of toll on state highway has probably backtracked. But another private company is conducting survey through its Kundapur based agency. Two young men at the bus stand in front of Belman gram panchayat were noting down details of vehicles which were plying since morning. Belman villagers who saw it confronted them. The developments have confirmed that survey that was in progress was for construction of tollgate.

A few days ago, a local daily had published a news article warning of secret survey over tollgate after elections. It is now said that a Bengaluru based private company has come forward through its Atharva Agency in Kundapur for survey of vehicles on Karkala Padubidri state highway.

Atharva Agency staff has however denied knowledge of the survey. “We are only doing the work entrusted to us by the company,” they said. Villagers are adamant that they will not allow the survey to take place. The company people have now suspended the survey work. Belman villagers are determined not to allow a tollgate on the state highway. They have said that they are prepared for protests in this regard.

The persons, who were conducting the survey, said that they are employed at a textile shop in Bengaluru and had come to home town on vacation. “We were looking for extra earnings. We did not know that tollgate survey was in progress,” they said.