B.C Road (Bantwal Cross Road): Local members of BJP, SDPI and vans-tourist cars drivers association got together with their flags up to protest to the high way authorities on creating two toll gates one at Brahmarakootlu and Panemangalore to collect tolls from the passing four wheeler drivers on Thursday morning December 5. This created an impediment on way to the passing Lories, cars, vans, buses and such other vehicles of four or more wheels.

It was stated by NHA there where 2 highway NH.73 and 75 crossing at B.C. Road and therefore the authority had employed some youths, given them training on Dec.3, and appointed them to collect road taxes or tolls on the midnight of Dec.4 from 2 areas which were close to one another by a distance of 4kms. The NHA stopped this collection at Brahmarakootlu when the protestors came face to face with the toll-collectors, who had till them accumulated the collections of toll money for over six hours since midnight.

The NHA said that one road led from B.C. Road to Surathkall and the other from B.C. Road to Hassan and so the Toll-Plaza had to be installed at B.C. Road. Nevertheless BJP workers object to collecting tolls at two points and insistence on collecting the money only at one place. The same demand came from at SDPI workers. Vans and tourist driver’s association members pleaded for a single toll collection and raise their voices against double toll payments.

The issue is still burning and the NHA is adamant collecting tolls on two highways for creating four lane paths for vehicles moving around B.C. Road in several directions, towards Surathkall and Hassan on NH 73 and 75. In may be noted that speed-breakers have been installed near the Toll-Plaza for the vehicles to come to a stop pay the tolls and continue their journey. The tolls are still collected two points depending on the routs the vehicles take at B.C. Road.