Min to discuss on Surathkal tollgate structure with NHAI

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said that he will hold discussion with the officials of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding the tollgate structure at Surathkal that was not removed even after the discontinuation of toll collection on NH-66.The toll collection at Surathkal was suspended by the NHAI on December 1 last year after a series of protests, but the structure of the tollgate has not been cleared yet. The members of the Action Committee Against Surathkal Tollgate have been demanding the NHAI to dismantle and clear the tollgate structure that is posing a threat to motorists. In fact, the NHAI had issued an order to cancel toll collection at Surathkal tollgate and collect user fee of two tollgates at Hejmadi in Udupi from December 1. However, the concessionaire of Hejmadi tollgate has not commenced the combined toll collection yet. Officials said that the tollbooth structure at Surathkal has not been removed since the tollgate at Hejmadi has not begun the combined toll collection. When the issue was brought to the notice of the minister, he said a meeting will be held soon to discuss the issue. “The NHAI had to start collection of combined tolls in Udupi. However, they could not start toll collection there. Hence, the NHAI has not removed the tollgate structure here,” the minister said.To a query on whether the toll collection will start again in Surathkal, the minister said, “The NHAI needs another alternative tollgate to collect toll (of Surathkal tollgate). I will discuss the issue with officials of the NHAI,” he added.