Bantwal: A total toll fee of Rs 12,43,50,210 has been collected from motorists using the Netravathi bridge on the Bangalore-Mangalore Highway since May 2003.
This information was furnished by the NHAI following an RTI query by a social service organization of Puttur recently. The information also reveals that the amount collected thus is remitted to the Union Ministry of Surface Transport on a weekly basis to make good the amount spent towards the construction of the bridge.
It is worth mentioning here that there has been resentment since long against the collection of toll. There is now also a feeling if toll collection is still necessary considering the fact that the amount spent towards the construction of the bridge has been reached through toll collection.
Another argument that is put forth is toll collection is needed as funds will be required to maintain the bridge.