On February 5, bus owners held a protest over the extra toll charges being deducted from their FASTag wallets at various toll plazas. The issue was highlighted in a press meeting on February 3, where Sadananda Chatra, Vice President of the Canara Bus Owners Association, spoke to the media. He explained that minibuses, with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) between 7,500 and 12,000 kg, typically have toll fees automatically deducted via the FASTag system. However, he accused toll plaza operators of illegally deducting additional amounts beyond the specified toll charges.
Ragavendra Bhat, President of the Karavali Bus Owners Association, further elaborated, stating, “We have decided to stage a protest on February 5 at 9:30 am at the Hejamadi and Shastana Toll Plazas to demand an end to these unlawful deductions and to seek justice.” He added that the toll amounts for class five FASTags are being miscalculated, leading to overcharging. “We are being subjected to daily extortion, with an estimated 8 to 10 lakh rupees being wrongfully deducted each day at the Hejamadi and Sasthan toll plazas.”
Despite lodging complaints with local authorities, including the district commissioner, superintendent of police (SP), and project director (PD) of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the bus owners claim there has been no response. Consequently, the protest is intended to draw attention to the issue and demand corrective action.
Canara Bus Owner Association president Rajavarma Ballal, along with Imtiyaz Ahmed, Sandeep, Imran, Vasanth Shetty, and Valid, attended the press meet.
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