Protesters demand closure of toll plaza

Demanding the closure of a toll plaza on NH 66 at Surathkal, the members of various organisations under the aegis of DYFI State President Muneer Katipalla staged a protest, near the toll plaza on Thursday.

The members of DYFI, CPM, Vehicle Owners' Association, Goods Lorry Owners and Drivers' Association participated in the protest.

Addressing the protesters, activist Muneer Katipalla said that the distance between two toll plazas should be 50 km. However, the distance between Surathkal and Hejamady toll plaza is 10 km. The NHAI authorities had spoken of closing the toll plaza at Surathkal after Hejamady toll plaza starts functioning. Accordingly, the authorities to close Surathkal toll plaza within 15 days, he demanded.

He said though crores of rupees are spent on maintenance of national highway, the stretch of highway from Surathkal to Kuloor is in a pathetic condition. The vehicle users are facing inconvenience with the pothole-ridden road. The stretch should be repaired within two weeks, he said.