MP Shobha writes letter to Gadkari to direct NHAI not to collect toll without completion of work
Udupi: MP Shobha Karandlaje, has urged the Union Minister of Road Transport, Highway and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari, to direct the authorities concerned not to collect toll at the gates at Sastan (Gundmi) and Hejmady in Udupi district.
In a letter to Gadkari, copies of which were released to the press here said that the four-laning of the National Highway 66 between Suratkal and Kundapur is not yet completed. The expansion work is still pending in most of the junctions including Padubidri and the service roads are not yet provided for smooth and safe movement for local residents.
The NHAI Authorities and the contracting company together are planning to collect the toll at Sastan and Hejamady in the Parliamentary Constituency with immediate effect.
The residents of the district are opposed to pay the toll before the widening work and the construction of service roads are fully completed. Protests have been held against collecting the toll.
Minister Gadkari should direct the NHAI and the Navayuga Company not to collect the toll without completion of the widening work and service roads, she said.