Ankola/Kumta: Members of Tipper, Car and Tempo Union in Ankola and Karnataka Rakshana Vedike in Kumta staged a protest on Tuesday against the IRB Company for collecting toll charges on National Highway 66, in spite of the fact that the road work is incomplete.

The members, who staged a flash protest at Hattikeri Toll Plaza in Ankola and Hollagadde Toll Plaza near Kumta, said that more than 25% of the road work has not been completed and yet the company has started collecting fees, without informing this to the users.

Condemning the sudden laying of toll charges, the Union and Vedike members said they would not pay any taxes unless the project is completed.

Former MLA Satish Sail, who rushed to the protesting site in Ankola expressed his anguish against the officials and company employees. KPCC Secretary Gopalkrishna Nayak said hundreds of car ply between Ankola and Karwar every day for minor works. Even without providing complete road it is not fair for the company to collect toll.

He demanded that toll fares are not collected for at least the locals, who have a vehicle with RTO passing of KA 47 and KA 30.

Response

IRB Company Officer Murthy said already the company has completed 75% of the work. As per the National Highway Authority of India toll can be collected after 75% of work is completed.

As the protest intensified the IRB Company officer announced that they would reduce the toll fee for the locals. And once the work is complete the full toll fee will be collected.

Kumta Assistant Commissioner Ajith, who rushed to spot, said a meeting of District in-charge Minister, deputy commissioner, IRB company officials and union members will be held at Karwar, where a decision in this regard will be taken.

In Ankola Tipper, Car and Tempo Union president Ganapathi Moolamane, Suraj Nayak, Ballanna Naik, Praveen Naik, Tulasidas Kamat and others were present. And in Kumta JD(S) leader Sooraj Naik Soni, Ravikumar Shetty, Krishnananda Venekar, Krishna Gouda and others were present.