Silvester D’ Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)
Udupi, Nov 26: Rashtriya Heddari Jagrathi Samithi held protests at Sasthan Toll Plaza against forced collection of toll charges by Navayuga Company in spite of alleged unscientific construction of four lane road on NH 66.
Meanwhile police stopped the activists from entering the tollgate. Tahasildar Pradeep Kurudekar and ASP Jaishanker tried to pacify the protesters. But the protesters demanded protection from gundas who they said are collecting toll charges and said that toll charges should be collected only after holding meeting with district in-charge minister.
The protesters further urged that the highway should be constructed in scientific way. “Service road, flyover, pedestrian over-bridge and underpass should be constructed. Separate road for ambulance should be laid. Navayuga Company is collecting toll charges without any of these facilities. Local vehicles should be exempted from toll charges. The Union government should immediately take Navayuga Company to task. The deputy commissioner should immediately visit the spot and solve the problem,” urged the protesters sitting on the road.
Police detained the protesting activists as a precaution measure.
Collection of toll charges continued in the security of nearly 200 police personnel.