Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Feb 4: Minister for Sports, Youth Services and Fisheries and district in-charge minister Pramod Madhwaraj said on Saturday, February 4 that National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) should not collect tollgate fee from the vehicles until the roads are completely repaired.
In a meeting held between highway awareness committee members and people representatives at DC office Rajathadri, the minister listened to the problems related to fee collection at NH 66 toll gate at Gundmi near Sasthan, and said, "NHAI says that 90 per cent of the work is completed, but the people are still facing problems. There is doubt in people's mind if the highway is really completed,"
"The Public Works Department (PWD) should conduct a survey on highway works from Kundapur to Suratkal and should certify the quality of the construction work within four days. Until the examination and survey of road works, the highway authority should not collect tollgate from vehicles," he instructed.
The minister further instructed the traffic police department to submit a report on the reason for increasing number of accidents on the Kundapur to Hejamady stretch.
Deputy Commissioner Venkatesh said, "We have to collect tollgate fee if the central government orders us to do so. If not, it depends on the state government's order."
On the occasion, the committee members put forth their demand to relax toll fee for KA 20 registered vehicles.
Former MP Jayaprakash Hegde and MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty spoke in favour of the committee.
Earlier tollgate fee was suspended after people held protests complaining the quality of the road. A meeting to discuss the matter was called today, but until the PWD report comes, no decision will be taken.