Union Minister had promised to remove all unauthorized toll plazas by June 22
Union Minister had promised to remove all unauthorized toll plazas by June 22
The tollgate protest Horata committee on Friday appointed Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP and Y. Bharat Shetty, Mangaluru City North MLA, to either vacate the “illegal” tollgate at NITK, Surathkal on National Highway 66 by June 22, as promised or as a tender resignation. Acknowledging their failure to fulfill the promise.
Ninety days are completed on 22nd June, by which time Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had announced in the Lok Sabha to vacate all toll plazas located within a distance of 60 km. The committee noted that when public outcry against the continuation of toll plazas at NITK intensified this March, Mr. Kateel met Mr. Gadkari and announced that the minister had raised tolls within the premises of the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA). Plaza has been ordered to move. Convener Munir Katipalla.
He told reporters here that the elected representatives of the area have miserably failed to clear the toll plazas lying vacant even after seven years. Mr Katipalla claimed that located within the limits of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) and operating within a distance of 30 km from another toll plaza at Hejamadi, the NITK plaza was completely illegal.
Efforts were being made to renew the toll collection contract despite the promise to clear it within 90 days. He said that this has inspired various organizations fighting against illegal toll plazas to intensify their struggle.
Taking strong objection to Dr. Shetty’s alleged statement that the workers were taking money and they were fake workers working for a commission, Mr. Katipalla challenged the MLA to file a police complaint in this regard. It is condemnable for an elected representative to make such serious allegations without any proof, he invited the MLA to lead the protest against the toll plaza, as announced. But Dr. Shetty should make it clear who he is protesting against, as the entire administration from MCC to the central government was ruled by his own party.
The MLA should also tell what are the reasons behind not closing the toll plaza and also tell which party the toll collection contractor, sub contractor and other people associated with the toll plaza belong to.
Former Deputy Mayor Purushottam Chitrapura, leaders M. Devdas and Dinesh Hegde Ulepadi were present.