Mangaluru: The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has launched a peaceful protest and awareness campaign near the Brahmarakootlu toll gate, demanding its immediate removal. The campaign, marked by the release of a poster, is part of the party’s ongoing agitation against toll collection at the facility, which it alleges has continued unauthorisedly for the past 23 years despite the poor condition of the road.
SDPI leaders accused the government and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) of ignoring repeated demands for the closure of the toll gate. They warned that the party would intensify its agitation if the authorities failed to take immediate action.
Speaking during the campaign, SDPI leader Anwar Sadath said the party had been protesting against the toll gate for the past 10 years through various forms of agitation, including a padyatra (foot march).
He said repeated appeals had been made to the Chief Minister, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, and local MPs and MLAs, but no concrete action had followed.
“For the past 10 years, the SDPI has staged various forms of protest, including a padyatra, against this toll gate. Despite persistent appeals to the Chief Minister, the Union Minister for Highways, and local MPs and MLAs, nothing has come of it. Thousands of rupees are being collected from motorists every single day. This is nothing short of a government-sponsored daylight robbery, a centre for plunder,” he alleged.
SDPI questions delay in promised toll gate closure
Sadath also referred to a promise reportedly made by the local MP two months ago that the Brahmarakootlu toll gate would be closed once other toll gates became operational.
However, he alleged that no steps had been taken to fulfil the assurance, despite the passage of time.
He questioned why motorists continued to pay toll at Brahmarakootlu when the condition of the road remained unsatisfactory. He maintained that the collection of toll without addressing the concerns over road quality was unjustified.
Sadath asserted that the SDPI would not withdraw from the agitation until the toll gate was removed.
He said the party had consistently raised the issue because of its impact on daily commuters and other motorists using the highway. The continued collection of toll, despite repeated public objections, had made the issue a matter of concern for residents of the district, he added.
SDPI condemns removal of protest banners
SDPI leader Riyaz Kadambu criticised NHAI officials and the government over the alleged removal of flex banners and posters put up by the party as part of its campaign.
He alleged that the banners and posters had been removed overnight while people were asleep, describing the action as an attempt to suppress the party’s protest.
“The Authority’s officials have engaged in the cowardly act of tearing down the flex banners and posters we had put up, doing so overnight while people were fast asleep. No matter how many flex banners they tear down, our struggle will not cease,” he said.
Kadambu warned that the party would continue its campaign despite attempts to remove its publicity material.
He further cautioned that if the authorities continued with what he described as an indifferent attitude towards the issue, the party could put up similar posters in front of government offices, potentially making it difficult for officials to enter their workplaces.
Warning of intensified agitation and toll gate siege
Both SDPI leaders urged MPs and MLAs from Dakshina Kannada district to intervene and ensure that the long-pending demand was addressed.
They said the present campaign was being conducted peacefully, with posters displayed at prominent roadside locations to create public awareness about the toll gate issue.
However, they warned that the peaceful nature of the current campaign should not be taken for granted in future phases of the agitation.
According to the leaders, continued inaction by the government and the concerned authorities could force the party to mobilise people across the district and launch a more intensive protest.
They specifically warned of an agitation involving the siege of the Brahmarakootlu toll gate if their demands continued to be ignored.
The leaders reiterated that the campaign was intended to draw the attention of the public and elected representatives to what they described as 23 years of unauthorised toll collection.
SDPI leaders participate in campaign
Several SDPI office-bearers and party representatives from different parts of Dakshina Kannada participated in the awareness campaign.
Those present included SDPI Mangaluru Rural District vice-presidents Inas Rodrigues and Abdul Kalam Sulya; general secretary Siddique Puttur; secretary Ashraf Talapadi; Belthangady Assembly Constituency president Akbar Belthangady; Bantwal Assembly Constituency president Shahul Hamid S H; Meeraz Sulya; Puttur Constituency Committee secretary Usman; Belthangady secretary Ashfaq Poonjal Katte; and district committee members Siddique Alekkadi, advocate Kabir Kemmara and Akbar Ali Ponnodi.
The party said it would continue raising the issue until the authorities responded to its demand for the removal of the Brahmarakootlu toll gate.