Don't hike Hejmadi toll while vacating Surathkal plaza: Congress

MANGALURU/ UDUPI: People are gearing up to begin the toll gate protest phase 2 with the demand that the toll tariff at Hejmadi should not be increased while vacating the Surathkal tollgate.
The tollgate at Hejmadi is just 10km away from the controversial one at Surathkal. Former minister Vinaykumar Sorake led a dharna under the aegis of the Kaup Block Congress Committee at Kaup on Saturday. Sorake said the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) should not hike the tariff in Hejmadi while vacating the tollgate at Surathkal.
"We will not stop our protest until the NHAI vacates the illegal and unscientific tollgate functioning at Surathkal. The protest will be intensified in the days to come if the toll gate is not vacated. The tollgate at Surathkal was opened by the NHAI seven years ago promising the people that it will be vacated once another tollbooth was opened in Hejmadi. However, people's representatives from the Undivided Dakshina Kannada districts have been earning money through the unauthorized tollgate," the ex-minister said.
Meanwhile, the indefinite day and night dharna being organised by the Action Committee Against Surathkal Tollgate at Surathkal entered the 16th day on Saturday with out any resolution.
KPCC vice-president Madhu Bangarappa visited the protest venue and said: "BJP has been taking advantage of the situation even when somebody dies. The tollgate has been functioning illegally for more than six years. Those leaders, who are behind this illegal tollgate, are using the money collected here to divide society in the name of caste and religion."