Public hold ‘Toll Chalo’ Campaign against Toll collection at Shiroor

Public hold ‘Toll Chalo’ Campaign against Toll collection at Shiroor

Byndoor: Just as the authorities concerned are getting ready to collect toll from vehicles at Shiroor as a part of four-lane project of the National Highway, the Heddari Horata Samithi in association with various organizations held ‘Toll Chalo’ campaign on October 30.

Addressing the protesters Byndoor MLA Sukumar Shetty said “From Kundapur to Karwar, IRB company has taken the contract of four lane road of National Highway which is totally incomplete. The company has not constructed proper drainage system both sides of the road. The water is entering into agricultural fields and thereby destroying the paddy crop. The company should fulfill the local people’s demands first. We are not against collecting the toll but company should complete the road work first. If they fail to complete the road work, then we will not allow them to collect toll at any cost”.

Former MLA Gopal Poojary addressing the protesters said, “The National Highway work is not completed as desired. Due to non-completion of road work, motorists are facing various hardships and inconveniences during rainy season and there have been many accidents recently. The company should complete the road first along with construct service road. If the company fails to oblige the public demand, the Block Congress will hold Padayatra from Tallur to Shiroor”.

The Samithi President Sathish Shetty said , “Concession should be provided from collecting toll to local vehicles within 10-km radius of the toll plaza. The toll collection should commence only after the completion of the work on service road and link road. Further, bus
shelters should be constructed on the stretch between Kundapur and Shiroor of the national highway. Following the demand by the public, concession was given to local vehicles at Sasthana toll plaza. Therefore, similar concession should be given for local vehicles at Shiroor”

The protesters submitted a memorandum to NHAI official Naveen, where he assured the protesters that he will see that no toll is collected, until the road work is completed. Journalist Arun Kumar Shiroor, leaders Suresh Batwadi, S Raju Poojary, Deepak Kumar Shetty, Venkatesh Koni, Pushparaj Shetty, Dilshad Begaum and others were present.

Under the direction of ASP Hariram Shanker, Byndoor CPI Suresh Naik and PSI Thimmesh BN and team, tight security was provided for the protest.