Mangaluru: The recent closure of the Kumbala tollgate in neighbouring Kerala by a joint action committee has energised organisations and activists in Dakshina Kannada district, who have now intensified their opposition to multiple toll plazas located within a 60-km radius. Several groups and political organisations have decided to organise a padayatra to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) office in March, demanding a halt to what they describe as violations of tollgate distance norms.
Activists argue that the mandatory minimum distance rule between two toll plazas is being ignored, leading to a concentration of toll collection points that would heavily burden daily commuters, transporters and small businesses dependent on highway travel.
Objection to tollgates within 60-km radius
Members of the joint action platform opposing toll plazas said the rule requiring at least 60 km between two tollgates is intended to prevent repeated user charges within short travel spans. However, they allege that several toll plazas in the district either operate within this limit or are being built in close proximity to one another.
They pointed out that a tollgate has already been functioning for more than a decade at Brahmarakootlu on the Mangaluru–Bengaluru NH-75 stretch. Meanwhile, preparations are under way to begin toll collection at Valalu in Uppinangady, which is within about 35 km of the existing plaza.
According to activists, this clustering contradicts the prescribed spacing norms and places an unfair financial load on motorists who frequently use the highways for work, trade and essential travel.
New toll plazas draw criticism
Activist Muneer Katipalla said additional toll plazas are being established across key highway corridors without properly addressing distance criteria and public concerns.
He noted that a toll plaza is being set up near Ganjimutt in Sooralpady along the Mangaluru–Moodubidire–Karkala National Highway 169 corridor. The proposed plaza is located roughly 17 km from the city limits. He claimed that this toll point would be about 33 km and 34 km away from the Brahmarakootlu and Talapady tollgates respectively, and about 44 km from the Hejamadi tollgate in the neighbouring district.
Apart from these, toll plazas are also under construction at Valalu in Uppinangady and near Panapila on the Beltangady road. With these additions, activists estimate that the region could soon have six tollgates within a relatively compact highway network.
“This will create a dire situation for vehicle drivers on the national highways,” Katipalla said, adding that frequent toll payments would significantly increase travel costs.
Call for large-scale agitation
Protest leaders said the successful agitation that resulted in the closure of the Kumbala tollgate has become a motivating example. They believe a similar mass movement is needed to push authorities to review tollgate spacing and compliance with norms.
Katipalla alleged that despite the seriousness of the issue, elected representatives from the region have not taken a firm public stand. He claimed that MPs and MLAs appear to be passively allowing tollgate expansion without ensuring transparency or public consultation.
Activist groups plan to mobilise transport unions, commuter associations, farmers’ groups and civil society organisations for the proposed padayatra to the NHAI office. Preparatory meetings are expected to be held shortly to coordinate participation and logistics.
Demand for joint review meeting
Action committee member K Yadav Shetty said there is a need for a formal review meeting involving the highway authority and district administration in the presence of MPs, MLAs and citizen representatives.
He said such a meeting should examine whether toll plazas comply with distance rules and project agreements. If authorities fail to respond positively, the committee plans to escalate the agitation.
“If there is a lack of interest in resolving this matter, we will organise simultaneous marches to the highway authority office from all tollgate points by forming local protest committees,” he warned.
Call for transparency in highway agreements
Assembly Speaker UT Khader said he would raise the matter with the district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao and push for clarity on tollgate approvals and related infrastructure commitments.
He said that for every national highway project, there should be a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between NHAI and the district administration. Such MoUs typically include details about toll plazas, service roads, bus bays, street lighting and other public amenities to be developed alongside the highway.
“MPs and MLAs of the region should discuss the issue and try to bring clarity. However, people are often not given full information about these MoUs and project components,” he said, stressing the need for greater public disclosure.
Conclusion
With more toll plazas planned and under construction, opposition groups are preparing for coordinated protests seeking enforcement of distance norms and greater transparency. The coming weeks are likely to see heightened mobilisation and negotiations between citizen groups and highway authorities over toll policy in the district.