Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Feb 1: An application filed under RTI Act has revealed that Navayuga Infrastructure, which is executing the national highway widening work, and which has been putting pressure for early collection of charges at tollgates set up at Gundmi and Hejamady in the taluk since long, is yet to meet to yardsticks stipulated in order to be able to start toll collection. The RTI application in question was filed by B Govindaraj Hegde, convener of Rashtreeya Heddari 66 Ulisi Committee.
Out of 43.8 km service roads the company was to lay, only 23.23 km road has been completed. 47 bus shelters were to be built, but only 36 have come up so far. The company has also failed to complete drainage and electrification works. It is also mandatory to give 15 days advance notice when issuing toll collection notification so that the vehicle owners can acquire passes as may be required. Hegde claims that issuance of a day's short notice is not admissible for toll collection.
Protests on Jan 31
As per the stipulations, before beginning toll collection, the company concerned has to complete construction of a minimum of 95 percent of the highway stretch connected with the particular toll plaza. Although the National Highways Authority of India has stated that 87.9 percent of road work has been completed, it does not appear to reflect the reality considering that several fly overs have not yet been built, work at Karavali Bypass here and again at Padubidri is not moving ahead, service roads have not been completed at Kaup and Kundapur, and foot over-bridge work at Ambalpady has not yet begun.
Hegde says that NHAI has given an evasive reply to the RTI query as to whether a meeting of specialist officers of NHAI was convened for fixing toll charges. He has asserted that the people have no responsibility to suffer for no fault of theirs, and that it is up to the company and NHAI to meet the requirements before beginning toll collection.
In the meantime, toll collection has been put off both at Sastan and Hejamady tollgates after people protested, following which police personnel and district administration intervened.