Protest will be staged on Oct 18, asserts Horata Samithi

Mangaluru: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has promised to solve the toll gate issue within 12-15 days as Toll Gate Virodhi Horata Samithi gears up to stage a massive protest to vacate the NH toll gate in Surathkal on October 18.

The Horata Samithi has clarified that they will not withdraw their decision to carry out a massive drive to remove the toll gate in Surathkal.

At a meeting convened in the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Panambur on Friday, Mangaluru assistant commissioner Madan Mohan appealed to the members of the Samithi on withdrawing the planned protest.

NHAI regional officer M K Vatare said that the authority had taken all steps to resolve the issue at a meeting held to discuss on maintenance of national highways at the deputy commissioner’s office on Thursday.

“The Surathkal toll issue will be resolved within 12 to 15 days,” he assured.

Reacting to NHAI’s assurance Horata Samithi convener Muneer Katipalla said that officials were to announce a date on stopping the collection of toll in Surathkal.

The officials and elected representatives had given similar assurances in the past also.

‘’The Horata Samithi, in association with like-minded organisations, will not withdraw the decision of holding a massive protest to remove the toll plaza. Our peaceful protest will begin at the toll gate on October 18 from 9.30 am onwards and will continue till the toll collection is stopped,” Katipalla said.

Fill potholes

Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V warned of filing cases against the contractor if any accident took place due to potholes on the Surathkal and Nanthoor NH 66.

A notice should be served to contractors on filling up potholes on the NH immediately, he said.

The officials concerned should hold discussions with Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) Commissioner Akshy Sridhar and take up repair works, he added.

NHAI project director Linge Gowda said that all potholes will be filled within seven days.

“In case of failure to fill potholes within seven days, the authority will file criminal case against contractors. The service road from Nanthoor Junction to B C Road, covering 14 km, will be developed at a cost of Rs 19 crore,’’ he said.

The DC directed NHAI to complete the work on repair of Kuloor flyover. All potholes from Pumpwell to Talapady National Highway should be filled.

The meeting also discussed on land acquisition for Addahole-Periadka and Bikarnakatte road along with the works at the KPT and Nanthoor Junction.