Mangaluru : After the protest of Talapady residents on toll gate issue, the  deputy commissioner K V Rajendra on Thursday, put an end to the problems of people travelling on Mangaluru-Talapady buses.

Ever since the National Highway toll gate started functioning at Talapady, on the inter-state border, city buses from Mangaluru to Talapady terminated their trips near the toll gate to avoid payment of toll. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is offering monthly passes, but the city buses from Mangaluru to Talapady have been cutting short trips before the toll gate, to avoid paying toll. As a result, people, including children and the elderly, are made to walk for nearly half-a-kilometre to the Talapady bus stand, located on the southern side of the toll gate.

Several organisations have been raising objections and seeking the district administration’s intervention to solve the issue. The DC held a meeting of representatives from Dakshina Kannada District Bus Owners Association (DKDBOA), elected representatives of zilla panchayat, Talapady gram panchayat and local organisations including Gadi Nadu Rakshana Vedike, on the issue.

DKDBOA president Dilraj Alva told that the toll fixed for city buses at Talapady toll gate was unscientific. “Due to the unscientific toll charge fixed by the NHAI, people of Talapady have been facing inconvenience for many years. The issue has been solved at a meeting convened by the deputy commissioner. We have come to an agreement with the Navayuga Udupi Tollway Private Limited, that runs the Talapady toll gate. At present, 31 city buses are plying between Mangaluru and Talapady. As per a mutual agreement, city buses have to pay a fixed amount through FASTag, after which buses can cross the toll gate. From Friday onwards, all buses will end the trip at Talapady bus stand. This will come as a big relief for thousands of passengers from both sides of the toll gate,” he added.