Padubidri-Karkala SH Bandh against Toll Gate evokes Good response in Belman
Udupi: The Padubidri-Karkala state Highway Bandh against the proposed construction of the Toll Gate on the state highway evoked a good response on December 20.
Almost all business establishments remained closed and public transport services, including taxis and auto-rickshaws, remained off the roads.
A public meeting was orgainsed in Belman where Sri Esha Vittala Dasa Swamiji of Kemaru addressed the gathering and said, “The politicians are only assuring the people with false promises but the reality is different. Last time also we all had protested in large numbers and various party leaders had also participated in the protest. It is unfortunate that today we have all gathered here once again to protest against the proposed construction of the Toll Gate on the state highway”. Every Government is announcing various Bhagya’s for the people and now we all have got the Toll Bhagya. We all are paying proper Road Tax while purchasing our vehicle then why do we need to pay the Toll again”? Swamiji questioned.
Swamiji further said, “All the governments have made undivided Dakshina Kannada as a Dustbin. All the industries are coming to our coastal districts and we are happily welcoming them. But the sad part is that those industries are not giving proper Jobs to the local youth. Once they are established here then they start to dominate our people. The same thing has happened in regard to the Padubidiri- Karkala State highway. We all had happily agreed to give our land for the development of road and after constructing the road the company is asking money for our own land. The Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts should become toll-free districts”, Swamiji demanded.
The Toll opposition Committee Belman president 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 Padubidri State Highway. We have got information that the government is forcefully constructing the Toll Gate on the Karkala-Padubidri State Highway with the protection and help of the Police.
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 no such tolls should be collected on this highway, said Swamiji.
Later the additional DC Vidya Kumar arrived at the spot and received the memorandum from the Toll opposition Committee Belman. The police then symbolically arrested the leaders.