Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Kundapur, Dec 27: A huge protest has been organized by the locals of Sasthan, Kota and surrounding areas against the decision of the authorities to apply a toll fee for the local residents at the Sasthan toll plaza.

The protest is scheduled to be held on December 31.

The local vehicles surrounding five kilometers from the toll booth were given free access and were exempted from toll fee. But with the recent developments, the toll booth authorities have taken a decision to remove the exemption and impose toll for the local vehicles also. Already the commercial local vehicles which were given exemption earlier were asked to pay the toll fee, which resulted in the protest by commercial vehicle owners just a few days back. Earlier, the locals had staged a huge protest demanding proper maintenance and providing facilities on the national highway and toll plaza.

Speaking to daijiworld.com Alwyn Andrade, a leader of the toll opposition committee said, “After the take over from Navayuga Tollways Private Limited, the new company has removed all the exemptions and have started to collect toll fee from the local vehicles as well. We had protested against this decision a few days back and based on MP Kota Srinivas Poojary’s intervention the company has halted the toll fee collection for local vehicles till Dec 30. A meeting is scheduled on Dec 30, at the Udupi DC office where deputy commissioner, toll company representatives, local representatives, MP, MLA will be present. If any unfavoured decision impacting the local residents is taken, we will stage a huge protest on December 31."