The Action Committee Against Toll Gate in Surathkal has thrown its weight behind the ongoing agitation against a new tollgate at Arikkady in Kumbala. This tollgate operates on the busy Mangaluru-Kasaragod NH-66.
Protest Gains Momentum with Committee Support
Convenor Muneer Katipalla announced the committee's support. He demanded that the National Highways Authority of India strictly follow distance regulations for toll plazas in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
Public Outrage Over New Toll Collection
NHAI started collecting tolls at Arikkady in Kasaragod district. This move triggered strong public anger and demonstrations. Manjeshwar MLA AKM Ashraf also participated in the protest activities.
Protesters highlighted a critical issue. They said the distance between the Talapady Tollgate at the Karnataka border and the new Kumbala Tollgate is only 22 kilometers. Highway authority rules require a minimum separation of 60 kilometers between two tollgates.
Katipalla stated the protesters are determined. They will not allow toll collection in Kumbala if it disregards these established rules.
Highway Authority's Assurance and Broader Concerns
"The highway authority suggests a solution," Katipalla said. "Once highway construction finishes, a new tollgate will open 60 kilometers from Talapady. Then the Kumbala Tollgate will close."
He emphasized the problem extends beyond Kumbala. "We must now discuss how tollgate rules are being implemented across this part of Karnataka. The issue is not limited to one location."
Evidence of Widespread Rule Violations
Katipalla provided specific examples to support the committee's claims. He pointed out several instances where the 60-kilometer rule appears ignored.
- The distance from Talapady to the Brahmarakootlu tollgate at BC Road is only 33 kilometers.
- From the Hejamadi tollgate in Udupi to Brahmarakootlu, it measures 45 kilometers.
- The stretch from Hejamadi to Talapady Tollgate is 43 kilometers.
"This clearly shows tollgate distance rules are being blatantly ignored in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi," Katipalla explained. "This situation exploits vehicle drivers." He also questioned why people's representatives from the coastal districts remain silent on this matter.
Upcoming Tollgates Raise Further Alarms
Katipalla noted more concerning developments. Toll collection is scheduled to begin soon at Valalu near Uppinangady on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru highway. Another tollgate is under construction near Ganjimath on the Mangaluru-Moodbidri-Karkala highway.
He presented more distance calculations:
- The distance from Brahmarakootlu to the planned Valalu tollgate is only 34 kilometers.
- From Talapady to Valalu, it is 67 kilometers.
"This raises serious questions," he lamented. "Shouldn't the Brahmarakootlu Tollgate close when Valalu opens? At the very least, shouldn't the Valalu tollgate be moved 25 kilometers further? No such proposal exists before the NHAI, and no one is discussing it here."
A Call for Consistent Application of Rules
Katipalla issued a strong appeal for fairness and rule enforcement. "The highway authority assures compliance with the 60km rule in Kumbala, Kasaragod. Why are they silent about violations in the coastal districts of Karnataka?"
He questioned the logic behind preparing to open two more tollgates in Valalu and Ganjimath. These appear to violate the very distance rules NHAI cites elsewhere.
"The distance rules between tollgates must be strictly followed in the undivided Dakshina Kannada district," he urged. The committee's support solidifies the protest, demanding accountability and uniform application of national highway regulations.
