Mangaluru: Various organisations from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi led by the Action Committee Against Surathkal Toll Gate will hold a padayatra from Hejmady toll gate to Surathkal toll gate on NH-66 on March 15 demanding the closure of Surathkal toll plaza.

A meeting of various organisations held in Mulky resolved to hold the padayatra. Activist Harish Puthran said Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari during his recent visit to Mangaluru has agreed to discuss the issue related to two toll gates on the national highway within 10km.

“Instead of solving the issue, the government has blamed legal hurdles to merge the Surathkal toll gate with the one in Hejmady. Elected representatives are trying to buy more time through their statements. The demand to close the Surathkal toll gate will be fulfilled only if the protest is intensified,” he said.

Action committee convener Muneer Katipalla said that the protest should continue till the government notifies the closure of Surathkal toll gate. “We do not trust the empty promises of elected representatives. Let us continue our protest till our demand is fulfilled,” said Muneer, issuing a clarion call to like-minded organisations.

Former minister Abhaychandra Jain, former president of Dakshina Kannada District Bus Owners Association Dilraj Alva, activist MG Hegde and members of various political parties and trade unions were among those who were present.

Recently, deputy commissioner KV Rajendra had clarified that the toll collection at Surathkal will continue till the concessionaires recover Rs 383 crore spent on the national highway stretch from Brahmarakotlu to Surathkal.