State’s proposal essential for cancelling toll: MP Nalin

Team Udayavani, Dec 12, 2018, 12:01 PM IST

Mangaluru: MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has said that he has been informed by the officials of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) that in order to stop operation of the tollgates at Brahmarakootlu on national highway 75 and Suratkal on national highway 66, the state government too has to submit proposals.

The MP was speaking at a meeting held at the office of the DC in connection to the national highways passing through the district, which je chaired and was attended by the deputy commissioner, Sasikanth Senthil, zonal head of NHAI, project director, and other officials.

The meeting was primarily centered on new the projects of the authority in the region, progress of the current projects and other issues. However, the issue on stopping toll collection at Brahmarakootlu and Surathkal was also discussed at the meeting. The MP said that he had written to NHAI authorities seeking the dismantling of tollgates at Suratkal and Brahmarakootlu.

“On the basis of my letter, they took up the matter with their office at New Delhi. The officials informed at the meeting that the state government also has to send proposal to the central office of NHAI seeking cancellation of the toll. The officials told me that in case of cancellation of tollgates, the issue of road maintenance will arise, and to address it, the state has to send its proposal,” informed the MP.

Mr Nalin said that the officials have promised to complete flyovers at Pumpwell and Thokkottu before the deadlines given now. In order to address service road problems between Surathkal and the city, the concerned have been instructed to demolish buildings for which compensation has already been disbursed but the buildings have not yet been vacated, he said.

 The MP also informed that L&T has agreed to continue the development of highway between B C Road and Addahole. To discuss certain problems faced by the concerned, a meeting of contracting company and officials will be held at New Delhi on December 14, he said.

The MP said that the first notification for land acquisition for the upgradation of Kulshekar – Karkala road has already been issued and process will begin in January. The land acquisition notification to upgrade a number of roads like the ones between Karkala-Moodbidri-B C Road, B C Road-Kaikamba-Kateel-Mulky and Thokkottu-Mudipu-Melkar would be issued during January, he added.

“It has been decided to hold meetings on monthly basis in the presence of zonal officer of NHAI to discuss and sort out issues relating to national highways in the district,” informed Mr Nalin.