Karnataka Rashtra Samiti to launch agitation against 'illegal' toll plaza at NITK, Surathkal

MANGALURU: Karnataka Rashtra Samiti (KRS) deeming toll plazas on national highways as an affront to federal structure of the country, while demanding that they are dismantled, has sought transfer of national highway infrastructure to the respective state governments. The samiti also assailed silence of local elected representatives on continuation of toll plaza near NITK, Surathkal and said the organisation will launch an agitation seeking its removal.
Amrith Shenoy, state vice-president, KRS told reporters on Monday that Nalin Kumar Kateel, member of parliament and Dr Y Bharath Shetty, Mangaluru City North MLA should explain to people the reasons why the toll plaza at Surathkal is being allowed to continue. The contract of this toll plaza is being renewed despite assurances they have given about getting it merged with toll plaza at Hejamady, but nothing has happened thus far, he said.
With maintenance of toll plaza leaving a lot to be desired, Amrith said while Rs 35 is collected as one-way toll for the 48-km stretch between Hejamady to Saligrama, motorists have to pay Rs 55 for the 16-km stretch between Surathkal and Hejamady. Even if one adds the 14-kms between Mangaluru and Surathkal to this 16-km stretch, the toll collected is still pricey, he contended seeking an explanation from the local NHAI authorities.
With prices of petrol and diesel headed north, Amrith said this ‘illegal’ toll at Surathkal is akin to adding insult to their injuries at a time when the global economy is reeling due to the pandemic. Collection of toll in some way would have been justified if it had been used in maintenance of the roads. Instead, a person pays in the form of road cess on fuel, road tax on vehicles and a host of other levies that are collected in the name of road infrastructure, he said.