Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD/MS/HB)

Udupi, Mar 12: Like-minded organizations have organized a mammoth foot march on March 15 from Hejmady toll gate to Surathkal toll gate on March 15 demanding closure of Surathkal toll gate. This information was shared with the media by Amrit Shenoy, social worker and member of 'Toll Virodhi Horata Samithi' in a press conference that was held at the press house in the city on Saturday March 12.

Speaking at the press conference, Shenoy further said, “Surathkal (NITK) toll gate, which began on a temporary basis with the assurance of closing as soon as the Hejmady toll gate became functional, is continuing for the past six years. Collection of toll at two toll gates within a distance of nine km has become a burden to the general public.

“Many protests have taken place demanding the closure of NITK or Surathkal toll gate in the past five years. Though in 2018, NHAI and the state government held a joint meeting and took a decision to merge Surathkal and Hejmady toll gates, the decision was not implemented citing some lame excuses.

“In the midst of this issue, several assurances of making B C Road and Surathkal highway toll free are given. Last month when a minister visited Mangaluru, he also repeated the same assurance. However, every day commuters are paying a toll.

“More than 60 social organizations of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi will join in this foot march. More than 5000 people are expected to take part,” he said.

Transport entrepreneur Kishan Hegde Kolkebail said, “Every month Rs 34000 should be paid as toll for big buses and Rs 26000 for light vehicles. This is a kind of loot of public money by the government.”

Secretary of taxi association Ramesh Kotian, secretary of building construction workers’ association Balakrishna Shetty and Abdul Aziz were present.

‘Request all to support the cause, join Padayatra’ - Asif Apthbandava

"I have highlighted the illegal toll gate at Surathkal in my own ways. I request all those who supported my campaign to continue to support the cause and join the Padayatra organized by 'Toll Virodhi Horata Samithi' on March 15,” said Asif Apthbandava.

Speaking to the media, Asif said, "Many had supported me when I was protesting against the Surathkal toll gate. I request all of them to support the Padayatra organized by 'Toll Virodhi Horata Samithi'. I wish them success. I want to tell the committee in clear words that this Padayatra should not be another addition to the protests that have happened over the last 6 years. We have filed many requests with the ministers and representatives, but no response was received. I am happy that the union minister Nitin Gadkari had visited Mangaluru during my protest, and he has also learnt about the issue. Let this Padayatra lead to a firm decision to remove the toll gate. If this continues to be another false assurance, I will continue my protest again.”

Speaking about the ban on him from being part of the Padayatra, Asif said, “No one from the committee instructed me not to take part in the Padayatra. I had attended the meeting called by the committee in Bappanadu temple. In the meeting, Addu Bolor, my journalist friend, had raised a question as to why Asif was not involved in the Padayatra. I had discussed with the committee about me attending the Padayatra and had suggested they take legal advice as I am facing non-bailable cases in the issue. Dinesh Ulleppadi, the lawyer himself, had said that I can attend at least for 10 minutes. But later on he called Addu Boloor and said that I was not allowed to attend the Padayatra. In the meeting, I had even agreed to arrange support of 3,000 people for the Padayatra. I had even agreed to arrange cold drinks for 5,000 people attending the same. I may not attend the padayatra, but my fight will continue as always.”

Ansar Ahmed, social worker and others were present.