Toll collection at new plaza angers motorists, Kannada group stages protest

HASSAN: Motorists, locals and some Kannada groups on Monday protested against the collection of toll on National Highway-75 near Chowlagere in Alur taluk. The new toll plaza became operational on Monday.

After motorists and locals started protesting, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) project director Praveen Kumar, SP Mohammed Sujeetha, Sakleshpur assistant commissioner Shruthi and other officials arrived at the spot and tried to pacify the crowd. When the agitated motorists did not relent, the NHAI officials left the scene.

Locals pointed out that they too have to shell out Rs 340 per month. The new toll plaza became operational at 8 am on Monday and motorists headed towards Mangaluru from Hassan and vehicles headed towards Bengaluru from Mangaluru will be required to pay toll.

The motorists and locals pointed out that the road work has not been completed and staged a protest, affecting traffic flow. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) district president Raghu said the road work is of poor quality and added that it has not been completed up to Maranahalli in Sakleshpur taluk. “As per norms, toll plazas can come up 50-60 km apart, but the Chowlagere toll plaza is just 30 km from the Shantigrama toll plaza. They are collecting toll in violation of rules and this is a burden on motorists”.

After the protest intensified, NHAI project director Praveen Kumar arrived on the scene and had to face the wrath of the protesters. When the protesters demanded that toll collection be stopped immediately, Praveen Kumar declined and said he will send his subordinate to hold talks with them. This angered the protesters even more and the NHAI officials left the scene.

When the protest continued till late afternoon, Praveen Kumar returned to the protest site and tried to convince the. Assistant Commissioner Shruthi said toll collection will be stopped till a meeting is held with the locals, but the protesters did not agree and continued with their agitation.