Staff at the national highway toll plaza in Brahmarakotlu, located on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru stretch, are working without proper safety measures as the cabins lack adequate roofing. The four cabins, where staff monitor toll functions on NH75, are currently covered with plastic sheets to protect them from rain and sun. Additionally, the metal frames and grills of these cabins are corroded.
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Despite several requests by the contractor to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for basic facilities, there is still no permanent concrete structure at the toll plaza, which collects substantial revenue from vehicles on the Mangaluru–Bengaluru route. Brahmarakotlu toll gate in-charge manager Naveen Shetty emphasized that the NHAI should provide basic facilities at the toll plaza. He mentioned, “Our responsibility is only to collect the toll from vehicles. We have already requested the NHAI to improve facilities. Officials have promised that the work will start soon. The project director of the NHAI is expected to visit the toll plaza, and a decision will be taken to improve the facilities.”Motorists on the stretch complain that, despite the toll gate charging Rs 45 for a two-way journey of light motor vehicles, the NHAI has not provided facilities like other nearby toll plazas. A motorist noted, “The toll plaza at Brahmarakotlu has significant importance due to the increased number of vehicles that ply between Mangaluru and Bengaluru. Many vehicles from Mangaluru to Bantwal, Puttur, Sullia, and other parts of the district also move on the stretch. The NHAI has increased the toll fare from Monday, but the toll plaza at Brahmarakotlu has no basic facilities. Staff are seen working inside the toll booth cabins that are in dire straits.”NHAI project director Abdulla Javed Azmi stated that maintenance work has been initiated and assured, “All facilities will be provided at Brahmarakotlu soon.”
