Mangaluru Activists Launch Major Campaign Against Brahmarakootlu Tollgate
In a significant development for transportation activists in Karnataka, a consultative meeting was held in Mangaluru to demand the immediate removal of the controversial Brahmarakootlu tollgate. This gathering resulted in the formal establishment of the Brahmarakootlu Tollgate Action Committee, a dedicated coalition of organizations and individuals committed to ending what they describe as an unjust toll collection point.
Mass Protest Scheduled for March 3 on National Highway-75
The newly formed action committee has announced plans for a substantial mass protest to be held on March 3 near the Brahmarakootlu tollgate location on the crucial Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway-75. The protest is scheduled to commence at 9:00 AM and will involve participants from various like-minded organizations and community groups who oppose the tollgate's continued operation.
This protest initiative draws direct inspiration from a successful previous campaign that led to the closure of a tollgate in Kumbala. That victory has energized activists across Dakshina Kannada district, who now believe the Brahmarakootlu tollgate violates established distance norms between toll collection points, making its operation legally questionable and burdensome for regular commuters.
Formation of Action Committee with Political Backing
The consultative meeting that led to these developments was chaired by former minister B Ramanath Rai, who provided political leadership to the growing anti-tollgate movement. The gathering saw active participation from representatives of multiple organizations and political parties who share concerns about tollgate proliferation in the region.
Key decisions emerged from this strategic meeting:
- B Ramanath Rai was unanimously elected as the honorary president of the protest committee
- B Shekhar and Mohan Shetty were appointed as coordinators to manage day-to-day operations
- The committee resolved to continue relentless struggle until the Brahmarakootlu tollgate is completely removed
- Plans were made to hold a larger gathering soon to form a comprehensive, full-fledged committee structure
Expert Guidance and Escalation Strategy
The meeting benefited from the experience of Muneer Katipalla, coordinator of the Action Committee Against Surathkal Tollgate, who provided crucial guidance on effective protest strategies and next steps in the campaign against the Brahmarakootlu tollgate. His involvement signals coordination between different anti-tollgate movements across the region.
Committee members emphasized that their protest comes at a critical time, as preparations to open additional new tollgates in Dakshina Kannada appear to be intensifying. The Brahmarakootlu protest thus represents not just opposition to one specific tollgate, but broader resistance to what activists perceive as excessive toll collection infrastructure in the region.
The action committee has declared that if their March 3 protest does not yield results, they will organize more intense demonstrations in subsequent phases of their campaign. Their ultimate goal remains unequivocal: the complete removal of the Brahmarakootlu tollgate from National Highway-75, which serves as a vital transportation corridor connecting Mangaluru with Bengaluru and beyond.
