Pic: Abhijith N Kolpe
Daijiworld Media Network-Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru Feb 6: Karnataka Gadinaadu Rakshana Vedike strongly condemned the toll collection at Talapady, without the completion of the road work from Talapady to Nanthoor, at a press conference here on Monday, February 6.
Karnataka Gadinaadu Rakshana Vedike President Siddique said, "The toll gate has been installed at Talapady and the toll applicable till Nanthoor. But no road work is complete from Thokkotu to Pumpwell. Even the road work and the fly over at Pumpwell is incomplete. Besides, the Talpaady - Nanthoor road extension work is also incomplete. This has inconvenienced motorists, and resulted in heavy traffic congestion due to the narrow road and incomplete road work at Thokkottu and Pumpwell".
"Even though protests against the installation of toll gates were held, concerned officials failed to respond to the cries of the locals. There is no other road for motorists which otherwise would reduce accidents. There is no 'service road' between the KC Road - Talpady stretch which covers up to 1.5 km. The stretch also makes way for fatal accidents. We have witnessed more than ten accidents so far, which have claimed five lives."
"We are fed up of protesting against the toll collection without completion of the road works. We have given so many appeals so far. Hardly 40% of the work has been completed in the Talapaady- Nanthoor stretch. Going by the present situation, it may take another two years to complete the stretch.
"Toll collection suggests smooth riding provision for vehicles. But here, the road has not yet been completed. On what basis is the toll being collected? Instead of completing the road work on priroty basis, preference is given to the construction of toll gates. We strongly oppose this and are persistent not to allow collection of toll at Talapady until the road work has been completed."
Karnataka Gadinaadu Rakshana Vedike Vice president Arun Bhandary, secretary Ganesh Shetty, joint secretary Arun Bhandary and others were present.