Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Dec 30: The National Highway Awareness Committee has withdrawn its planned protest scheduled for December 31, following a resolution reached during a meeting at the deputy commissioner’s office on December 30.
The meeting, chaired by deputy commissioner Dr Vidya Kumari, was attended by superintendent of police Arun, MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, MLAs Kiran Kumar Kodgi and Gurme Suresh Shetty, NH officials, and agitators. It was decided to grant an additional 574 exemptions for tolls on certain commercial vehicles, while maintaining toll exemptions for private vehicles as before.
The exemptions apply to all private vehicles and specific commercial vehicles weighing less than 7.5 tons, excluding JCBs, earth movers, and heavy construction vehicles, within a 5-km radius of the toll plaza. Owners of 34 tippers in the vicinity will need to purchase a pass for Rs 6,705, allowing unlimited trips per month. Passes for earth movers, three-axle, and higher vehicles are priced at Rs 10,505 and Rs 12,805 per month, respectively, or can be paid per trip.
MP Kota Srinivas Poojary said, “During Shobha Karandlaje’s tenure, toll exemptions were granted for Kota zilla panchayat. However, the new company started collecting tolls from locals, which is unjust. There is no service road at the toll plaza, and collecting tolls from locals is unacceptable. While toll plazas are necessary for development, exempting locals is essential.”
Deputy commissioner Dr Vidya Kumari added, “Kota zilla panchayat has around 1,752 vehicles, including 606 local commercial vehicles, with private vehicles making 53,130 trips. During the protest, no tolls were collected from private vehicles as requested. Toll exemptions will continue for government school vehicles, private vehicles, and farmers’ vehicles. However, exempting tolls entirely for vehicles within 5 km would shift the financial burden to the government. Previously, Navayuga Tollways Pvt Ltd exempted tolls for locals, but the cost was borne by the government.”
Superintendent of police Arun noted, “Documents stipulate that no toll plaza can be constructed within 10 km of a municipal area unless permission is obtained. Such plazas are permissible if there are bypasses, tunnels, or flyovers within 5 km.”
The agitators raised concerns over unfulfilled promises from earlier meetings. “No repair work has been undertaken after the joint survey directed by the SP. There is no justification for toll collection when basic amenities are not provided. NH authorities had promised to construct a service road near Mahesh Hospital within 15 days during the last meeting, but no work has started,” they said.
Alwyn Andrade, general secretary of the National Highway Awareness Committee, Sasthana, said, “During the meeting held with the district administration and NH Awareness Committee, Sasthana, a heated discussion ensued regarding the collection of tolls from local residents, poor road conditions, and inadequate construction works. KKR Company, which manages the toll plaza, argued for collecting tolls from commercial vehicles. However, the NH Awareness Committee, supported by the MP and MLAs, strongly opposed this stance. The MP and MLAs reprimanded KKR Company over its highway management. After extensive discussions, it was decided to maintain the status quo, with the provision of concession passes for lorries, buses, and tippers on a monthly basis, while exempting all other vehicles from tolls. Consequently, we have decided to withdraw our protest planned for December 30.”
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