Ullal: Protesters, on Wednesday, February 26, blocked the Talapady Toll Gate by parking the buses in such a manner so as to block the movement of traffic. The protesters did this as a demonstration against the payment of fixed toll fees for city buses.
It can be recalled that this protest has been going on for a month now.
When the situation did not subside, the Ullal Police, who were at the spot, resorted to a mild lathi-charge to get the situation under control.
The bus owners have complained that it is unethical for the toll to collect lakhs of rupees every year at the Talapady Toll Gate, just to cross half a kilometer. They have said that the city bus services between Talapady and Mangaluru has been running smoothly until the new toll gate fee row erupted.
According to sources, even though the city bus owners had requested the toll officers to allow them to pay the toll fee that was agreed upon, the toll officers did not accept it. Several meetings held at the Ullal Police Station in this regard also did not pay off.
On February 9, the Talapady Nagarikaru, Gadinaadu Rakshana Vedike in collaboration with the city bus owners, staged a protest at the Talapady Toll Gate. Unfortunately, that too failed. Later, the nearby residents decided to meet the concerned officials and sort out the issue. The residents claimed that even after the Deputy Commissioner of the Dakshina Kannada intervened, the toll officials were not ready to accept any requests.
The protests that took place during this time caused a lot of inconvenience to the public and the protesters who had gathered in large numbers near the toll gate not only lambasted the toll officials, but also the police personnel.
Currently, as per reports, Assistant Police Commissioner Kodandarama has assured the protesters that a solution will be arrived at during a meeting that is expected to be held on February 29 with the MP and top officials.
The protesters disperced after this assurace was given.
