Massive Dharna Erupts at Brahmarakootlu Tollgate in Mangaluru Over Alleged Violations
In a significant show of public dissent, the Brahmarakootlu Tollgate Action Committee organized a large-scale dharna near the tollgate on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway-75 at Brahmarakootlu in Bantwal taluk. Hundreds of protestors, cutting across political affiliations, united to demand that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) cease toll collection at this location, which they claim flagrantly violates established distance regulations.
Decades of 'Illegal' Operation and Lack of Amenities
Protestors asserted that the tollgate has been functioning "illegally" for the past 23 years, with no provision of basic amenities such as service roads. Former minister B Ramanath Rai, who serves as the honorary president of the action committee, condemned the tollgate as an illegitimate entity designed solely to "loot people." He emphasized the urgency of closing it, especially as new tollgates are slated to open in other parts of the district.
"The site itself is utterly unsuitable for a tollgate," Rai declared. "While all other tollgates operate in spacious areas with comprehensive facilities, the one at Brahmarakootlu is completely unscientific. Our current protest is symbolic, but we plan to escalate it beyond Bantwal taluk in collaboration with like-minded organizations. We will persist until this tollgate is shut down."
Call for Transparency and Public Hearings
The protestors urged the NHAI to take immediate corrective action, adhering strictly to the rules governing toll collection on national highways. Muneer Katipalla, convenor of the Action Committee Against Surathkal Tollgate, highlighted the need for elected representatives to pressure the NHAI into conducting public hearings. These meetings should detail all proposed works, including underpasses, bypasses, tollgates, service roads, and other facilities, before any project commences. Katipalla noted that no such consultations have occurred in the district for several years.
Impact on Local Residents and Distance Norm Violations
Explaining the adverse effects on the community, Muneer pointed out that local exemptions from toll fees were discontinued after the introduction of FASTag. He further alleged that distance norms are being blatantly ignored in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Specifically, the distance from Talapady to the Brahmarakootlu tollgate at BC Road is only 33 km, while from Hejamadi tollgate in Udupi to Brahmarakootlu it is 45 km, and to Talapady tollgate it is 43 km—figures that protestors argue contravene standard regulations.
Action committee convenor Mohan Kumar also addressed the gathering, reinforcing the collective demand for accountability and reform. The protest underscores growing public frustration over infrastructure management and toll collection practices in the region.
