Mangaluru : The activists and local residents who had launched an indefinite agitation against collection of toll at the toll plaza on the National Highway 66 in Talapady near here called off their protest following the intervention of Food and Civil Supplies Minister and local MLA U T Khader.

In a meeting chaired by Mr Khader on Saturday, personnel from the Udupi Navayug Tollway Private Limited said that all non-commercial vehicles from within a 20-km radius of the plaza would be given monthly pass for Rs. 235.

They agreed not to collect fee from non-commerical vehicles in a 5-km radius from the plaza till February 25 when they would decide on the quantum of concession to be given in the monthly pass to be issued to non-commercial vehicles.

While residents and activists said that toll should not be collected from residents living in a 5-km radius from the plaza, the company personnel said that law does not permit waving toll.

They said that they have proposed 50 % concession in the monthly pass charge of Rs. 235 and it would be decided at a high-level meeting of the company representatives and officials of banks that have funded the road work. They would survey the number of vehicles in the 5-km radius.

Earlier, residents and activists called off the local bandh in Talapady area and attended the meeting called by Mr. Khader at the office of the Deputy Commissioner. Officials from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) also attended the meeting. Deputy Commissioner K.G. Jagadeesha, Mangaluru City North MLA B.A. Mohiuddin Bava and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) K. Shantaraju attended the meeting.

Mr. Khader directed the private firm representatives that persons collecting toll should not be facing criminal cases. Women should be posted at the toll plazas in the morning. Those on duty at the toll plazas should be wearing uniforms, he said.