Mangaluru: Both Dakshina Kannada Bus Operators Association (DKBOA) and Canara Bus Operators Association (CBOA) have decided not to pay toll at Talapady and Hejamady toll plazas from January 1.
This decision was taken by the bus operators as the Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd missed yet another deadline for completion of Pumpwell flyover on December 31. DKBOA president Dilraj Alva told mediapersons that he would ask all buses which would ply via Talapady and Hejamady toll plazas to not pay toll from January 1. ” We decided not to pay toll until the completion of flyover at Pumpwell,” Alva said.
CBOA vice president Durgaprasad Hegde informed that National Highway 66 between Talapady to Kundapura has been in unmotorable condition. ” There is no proper service road, street light and other facilities on this stretch. Why should we pay toll,” he questioned.
Mangaluru South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath also extended his support for the decision of bus operators. ” I will go to Talapady toll plaza on Wednesday morning, January 1 and ask the employees of toll plaza to allow the movement of all vehicles without collecting toll. As construction company has missed several deadlines in the past, it is inevitable for us to support the voice of public,” he said.
