Toll: No exemption for locals 

Team Udayavani, Feb 1, 2019, 2:38 AM IST

• Travel after procuring a pass: Navayuga Company
• Exemption cancelled in Sasthan | Official’s answer in front of the DC

Padubidri: For no reason will the local vehicles be given exemption. If necessary, procure a monthly pass for Rs 255 and travel, informed Shankar Rao, an official of Navayuga Company.

The official spoke in front of Udupi Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis who had visited the protest location on Thursday where the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and Padubidri Nagarika Samithi have been demanding exemption from toll payment since 24 days. The official said that toll exemption will not be provided to the locals of Padubidri. The exemption at Sasthan will be cancelled, he said.

Upset with this new development, the protestors demanded with the DC to remove the toll gate constructed at the inner road in Hejmady. But since there is no opportunity for that in the law, the district administration will not give the order. I have submitted a report to the government advising Navayuga Company to be blacklisted, informed the DC.

The DC assured that a decision will be taken within three days post a meeting with the government and the Navayuga officials. The protestors informed that they will carry on with their protests. Besides, the Navayuga officials have been ordered to complete service road works within 15 days.

The officials saying causes fear

Kota: The announcement by Navayuga official that the exemption at Sasthan will be cancelled has created a fear amongst the locals.

Earlier, in the backdrop of massive protests at Sasthan, talks were held and exemption was provided to vehicles within the limits of Kota ZP. Since a similar demand has come up at Padubidri, the exemption given at Sasthan will be cancelled, said the officials. But if such an action is taken, it will not be tolerated. Till now we have protested with patience. Henceforth it will be a fierce fight, the locals warned.