[Ashtoncastelino]

Originally Posted by recshenoy

This toll gate which is gateway to poorly maintained uneven roads, potholes, one way flyover and barricades has been renewed for another 3 month.

https://www.daijiworld.com/news/news...?newsID=895658

Just came across this article published in December 2021, I pray either they close this toll or at least merge it with hejamadi toll.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...le38058935.ece

[Shamegz]

Updating the thread with latest protest against Suratkal Toll plaza:

https://www.daijiworld.com/news/news...?newsID=928505

For the past 13 days, an unusual sight has met passersby near the toll plaza close to NIT-K Suratkal. It is that of Asif Apatbandhava, who has been on a unique protest demanding the removal of the toll plaza, which he says is illegal and nothing but a way to loot the public.

https://www.daijiworld.com/news/news...?newsID=929043

The police on Monday February 21 took social worker Asif Apatbandhava into custody.

[recshenoy]

Here is the latest on the road. I have personally witnessed biker falling off on this highway due to bulge formation on the road due to poor asphalting.

https://www.daijiworld.com/news/news...?newsID=931093

The road that belongs to the toll gate should be maintained properly. Street lights, drinking water and resting places should be provided. However, none of this is implemented.

The public is protesting for a year for the permanent closure of Suratkal toll gate. However, the officials concerned and district administration are quiet. Social worker Asif also protested in a unique style for justice and was detained. This has become a hard nut to crack for the district administration.

Social worker Dilraj Alva had sought information from NHAI with regard to the cost incurred on the four lane road from Suratkal to Bantwal and the toll that has been collected so far. But NHAI Mangaluru division has reportedly not given any reply.

The Road transport minister today spoke about making Indian roads like US while laying foundation for new highway in Karnataka . One of those roads that he laid foundation stone is ironically in Mangalore where people are already reeling under useless infra on NH66. So probably people have to get ready for another toll road.

https://www.daijiworld.com/news/news...?newsID=931797

Union Minister for Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Monday said that he has a goal of establishing a road network in India at par with America by 2024.

Speaking here after laying the foundation stones for five national highways, he stated that every development activity depended on road connectivity and realizing this, the government is committed to strengthening the road network in the country.

No doubt, off late we are seeing some good road infra in our country but maintenance of existing road is completely neglected despite collecting hefty toll.

[Ashtoncastelino]

Just came across this article yesterday. Indeed some relief !

but the main question is when are they going to shift ?

https://www.daijiworld.com/news/news...?newsID=937339

[skanchan95]

Originally Posted by Ashtoncastelino

Just came across this article yesterday. Indeed some relief !

but the main question is when are they going to shift ?

Inside NMPT, if this article is to be believed !!! The stupidity and weirdness of this proposed exercise is beyond understanding. And if our MP's 'glorious' record of getting projects completed 'on time' is anything to go by, this "new" toll gate will atleast take another 5-6 years just to move to NMPT!!

If bhpians from Mangalore remember, the toll gate that came in Suratkal was actually supposed to come up on the highway right outside New Mangalore Port initially. But it was moved to Suratkal after objections from locals fearing chaos from traffic jams.

Toll Gate To Be Shifted To New Mangalore Port: Kateel

Mangaluru: The toll gate on National Highway 66 at Surathkal will be shifted to the New Mangalore Port and the toll will be collected only from those vehicles that enter the port, stated a release from the office of Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel.

Following the uproar over the toll plaza on NH 66 at Surathkal, a meeting was convened by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to discuss the toll gate at Surathkal with MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and officials in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The shifting or merger of the Surathkal toll gate was discussed in the meeting.

It was decided that as the toll gate was causing inconveniences to people, it will be shifted to the premises of New Mangalore Port. The minister said that toll should be collected from those vehicles that enter the port, stated the release.

The minister also directed officials to upgrade Mani-Sampaje Road into a four-lane road.

Meanwhile, the Toll Gate Virodhi Horata Samiti has planned a padayatra from Hejmadi toll gate to Surathkal toll gate on NH 66 demanding the closure of the toll plaza at Surathkal on March 22.

Samiti Convener Muneer Katipalla said, ‘Our fight will continue till an order on shifting the toll inside the New Mangalore Port is issued by the government.’

Toll Gate To Be Shifted To New Mangalore Port: Kateel

[am1m]

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...w/90390016.cms

"Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said that there will be only one toll plaza within 60 km on national highways. While speaking in Lok Sabha,Gadkari said," I will ensure that there will be only one toll plaza within 60 km on national highways and if there's a second toll plaza within 60 km, then it will be shut in the next three months."


Ok, let's see (hope) in 3 months.

[Ashtoncastelino]

Originally Posted by am1m

"Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari said that there will be only one toll plaza within 60 km on national highways. While speaking in Lok Sabha,Gadkari said," I will ensure that there will be only one toll plaza within 60 km on national highways and if there's a second toll plaza within 60 km, then it will be shut in the next three months."

And there we go, exactly the catch I was waiting for in the above statement. I knew that they will find a loophole in Gadkari's statement. Very funny of them to mention " it applies only if the road is built by a single contractor ". what an absolute rubbish statement.

Attaching the article below

https://udupitimes.com/udupi-times-8619/

[Ashtoncastelino]

As expected both the tolls have increased their rates by ₹5 each. Hejamadi toll will cost ₹65 return and the Suratkal Toll will cost ₹90 for return. Day light robbery

[TROOPER]

Originally Posted by Ashtoncastelino

As expected both the tolls have increased their rates by ₹5 each. Hejamadi toll will cost ₹65 return and the Suratkal Toll will cost ₹90 for return. Day light robbery

Not to mention the state of the road underneath the Surathkal toll is outright pathetic. I’m convinced that political leaders from every party in the area have a nice share of the pie from this illegal toll. No way there’s a single benefactor, otherwise this toll wouldn’t have existed.

[Ashtoncastelino]

Last week when passing by this toll plaza in a KA19 Regd Car , I asked the toll guys if the toll was closing in the coming months , they boldly told " NO ! The contract has been renewed for a year so we'll surely be here for a year "
I was like wow ! Thanks Nithin Gadkari for those honest words mentioning the toll will be relocated in 3 months

On another note , the NITK beach road to skip the toll is in much better shape than before , meaning the sand has been removed and is leveled now so you can proceed but the potholes still remain.

Regards
Ashton Castelino

[am1m]

The three months promised by Nitin Gadkari are almost up but that toll plaza is operating as usual, just passed it this morning.

Another empty promise, looks like. Sad, I thought at least this politician had a better track record of getting things done as promised. Looks like that's not going to be the case.

[Shonith]

It's a burden for people living in the nearby places. They must have paid a chunk of money over the years as toll. Governments failure to shift this just goes to show their lack of commitment.

[Ashtoncastelino]

Finally an update regarding the Toll merger , but again it's a wait period of a month for merging. Hope the words told will be lived up this time unlike last time.

https://www.daijiworld.com/news/news...?newsID=992349

[skanchan95]

Despite the MP from the district assuring that the toll plaza would get removed within a fortnight, nothing has happened so far and this assurance was made more than two weeks ago - as has been the case for the last 5-6 years!

Now the administration has started intimidating the protestors who are leading the agitation, by barging into their homes late at night and slapping them with notices.
Mangaluru: Police crackdown on Surathkal toll gate protesters in late night operation

Sun, Oct 16 2022 09:59:50 AM

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SS)

Mangaluru, Oct 16: Police have cracked down on protesters of the Surathkal toll gate and have slapped notices forcibly on more than 100 of them by conducting a search and barging into homes in a midnight operation.


The police have ordered the protesters to furnish a bond for Rs 2 lacs along with a government bail and also to report themselves at the Police Commissioner's office on Monday.

The Surathkal Toll Gate Virodhi Samithi had called to lay siege to the toll plaza on October 18 protesting against the collection of tolls. The members are demanding removal of the toll plaza.

The district administration had requested the Samithi to withdraw the agitation. But, the protesters said despite making promises for the last six years regarding vacating the toll plaza, protests have not yielded the desired results. It is in this light that protesters said that they will lay siege to the Surathkal toll gate and only withdraw after the plaza is vacated.

All political parties barring the BJP have come in support of the protesters.

The Mangaluru Police have also slapped notices on women protesters including Prathibha Kulayi in the late night operation.

Meanwhile, DYFI state president Muneer Katipalla has in a Facebook post said they weren't intimidated by the use of police force and added that there was no going back on the planned protest.

[Ashtoncastelino]

Finally the toll closure has been announced officially by the MP yesterday.

https://www.deccanherald.com/state/k...l-1162316.html

EDIT:- The toll is still being collected ! Absurd !