Chief Secretary to convene meeting on toll collection – DC Venkatesh
Manipal: District administration has no role to play in the collection of toll, the order was formulated by NHAI in the executive meeting said Deputy Commissioner T Venkatesh. He was speaking at a press meet held at his office at Rajathadri here on February 14.
The onus is put on the district administration saying the order was formulated by the deputy commissioner for the collection of toll. The fact is that the district administration has directed to provide security assistance for the functioning of the toll plaza. The NHAI has excluded 8 km of the construction work of the total 90.8 km stretch necessary for the functioning of the toll plaza.
As the protest has been escalating against the collection of the toll, Chief Secretary to the GOK will be conveying a meeting with the NHAI and other stakeholders to discuss the issue. The representation from various associations will be effectively discussed in the meeting. The District in-charge Minister has conveyed the message of the Chief Secretary holding a meeting to the district administration.
The Navayuga Company has completed a stretch of 58 km of NH 66 covering Udupi district. 6.4 Km of pending work includes construction of the road in Karavali Junction, road construction in Padubidri and Kundapur flyover. The construction of 30.90 Km of service road is also pending. The company has given concession to the residents in the 5 KM range from the toll plaza for KA 20 vehicles.
Fingers are pointed against the district administration saying it has been involved with the Navayuga company officials to promote toll collection which is far from the truth, he added.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Anuradha and others were present.