Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jul 20: "The stay order against collection of toll fee from cars registered locally at NITK tollgate at Suratkal will end on July 22. If the state secretary instructs us to provide police security for toll fee collection, the district administration will have to oblige. The district administration does not enjoy the power to take decisions on the issue of extending concession for local vehicles at the tollgate," explained Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil.

Speaking to a Kannada daily, he said that at the request made by the district in-charge minister to the state chief secretary, toll fee collection was stayed for a few days. "It would not be possible to extend concession indefinitely. We have to fall in line with the National Highways Authority of India instructions," he clarified.

He asserted that the district administration has no role in deciding or waiving toll charges. "We will wait till Monday. NHAI has already asked the chief secretary to provide police security to the tollgate for toll fee collection. If he instructs the administration, we have no other option but to fall in line with the orders," he stated. At the same time, he said that the union government has not so far conveyed any definite decision on the issue of extending toll fee concession for local vehicles.