Mangaluru: Deadline to shut toll plaza nears, but no action seen

MANGALURU: On June 22, the 90-day deadline to shut down the tollgate on the national highway in Surathkal in Mangaluru, will lapse, but very little work has been done to close the facility down.
Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari had, on March 22, that all toll plazas on national highways that were within 60km of another would be closed within three months.
A week prior to Gadkari’s announcement, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had said that the toll plaza at Surathkal would be shifted to the New Mangalore Port, and toll levied exclusively on vehicles either entering or leaving the port. Unfortunately, despite the assertions made by representatives of the central government, toll continues to be collected at the plaza in Surathkal, much to the dismay of the regular commuters, who have to pay additional toll at Hejmady, which is only 15km from Surathkal.
Action Committee Against Suratkal Toll Plaza has been awaiting a reply from the elected representatives on shifting the gate to the New Mangalore Port. Committee convener Muneer Katipalla expressed disappointment with both Gadkari and Nalin Kumar, who he said had failed to keep their word.
“We held a padayatra, opposing the toll plaza at Surathkal. The minister had announced that the toll plaza would be closed by June 22. Should the authorities fail to do the needful by June 22, we will resume our agitation,” Katipalla told TOI.
Meanwhile, Dakshina Kannada district V Sunil Kumar said that he would discuss the issue with both Nalin Kumar Kateel, and Mangaluru City North MLA Bharath Shetty.
“I have written to the Union minister, seeking his intervention. Gadkari has sought a report from the Project director of the National Highways’ Authority of India. We will also continue our discussions with the MP,” Bharath Shetty said.