Belman toll gate objections: Padubidri-Karkala SH Bandh on Dec 20th
Udupi: The Toll opposition Committee Belman has called for a Padubidiri–Karkala state Highway Bandh on December 20 against the proposed construction of the Toll Gate for the state highway said Suhas Hegde president of the committee.
Speaking at a press meet held at Press Club on December 18, Suhas Hegde said that it is very unfortunate that the state government has taken a hasty decision to construct a toll gate on the state highway that connects Padubidri and Karkala giving a shock to the people of Belman and neighbouring villages.
Even after our peaceful protest, the state government has failed to cancel the toll gate at the Karkala Padubidre State Highway. We have got information that the government is forcefully constructing the Toll Gate on the Karkala-Padubidre State Highway with the protection and help of the Police.
Hence, we have called for another protest on December 20. We have called for Padubidiri–Karkala state Highway Bandh. All the villagers, religious centres, vehicle owners, associations, International social organizations, Bus Owners Association, Auto Unions, various local organizations, taxi Associations, Bus Associations’, Businessmen, Industrialists etc have voluntarily expressed their support to the Bandh.
Already we have the Hejamady and the Surthakl Tollgate and there is no exemption to local vehicles. Moreover, this is going to be the first ever built Tollgate on a state Highway. Considering all the facts the Govt should immediately cancel the above tender and that on this highway no such tolls should be collected. Keeping this demand in front of the State government authorities we are organizing a huge protest march on December 20 at 9:00 am. A minimum of 100000 people from all the 27 villages around Belman are expected to join the protest march, he informed.
Committee leaders Hariprasad, Shashidhar Shetty and Sarvajna Tanthri were present for the press meet.