Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Jun 23: The deadline given by the union transport minister Nitin Gadkari to close the toll gates that function within a distance of 60 km is over on Wednesday, June 22. However, the toll collection continues in Surathkal toll gate, the Toll Protest Committee has alleged.

The committee in its suggestion said, “MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and MLA Dr Y Bharat Shetty could not keep their promise of getting the Surathkal toll gate closed. Now there is one more chance. The toll gate collection contract of Surathkal gets over within a week. New tender has already been called and the same will be opened on June 23. However, no contractor has submitted any tender, it is said. So the toll gate can be closed.”

On March 22, Union minister Nitin Gadkari had announced in Lok Sabha that the toll gates that exist within a distance of 60 kms will be closed within three months. Two toll gates are operating between Surathkal and Padubidri which are separated by a distance of just 12 km. Public is protesting continuously for the closure of Surathkal toll gate for a long time. Neither the representatives nor the district administration is paying any heed to the demand of the public.