Talapady residents stage protest ; demand buses to pass through toll gate

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 03, 2021:      Residents of Talapady area as well as many bus passengers staged a protest  in front of the Talapady Toll Gate on March 3, Wednesday to oppose the act of the  Talapady route buses in refraining from going upto Talapady bus stand but instead  turning  right  near the toll gate to avoid paying toll. Though the private bus crew intention is to  avoid paying toll, the passengers are put to great inconvenience by this as they have to walk all the way to reach Talapady bus stand. Even passengers  from Kerala have to  alight at Talapady bus stand and walk upto the toll gate.

 

Earlier in the day protestors were adamant that the buses pass through the toll gate. However when the toll staff demanded payment of toll, the bus crew refused and the buses remained stranded. Finally Ullal Inspector Sandeep rushed to the spot and  after consultations with the  bus operators asked them to pay  the toll for the day and proceed. When the bus operators did not  heed the inspector spoke to the toll authorities and ensured that the buses were allowed to move without toll today.

Talapady Bus Operators’ Association President Karim said the buses cannot pay a toll of Rs 256  per each trip and added that the Association has also offered to pay a monthly total toll of Rs 3 lakhs  for all the 31 buses on the route.

Protestors also formed a human chain on the occasion.

Gadinadu Rakshana Vedike President Siddique Talapady, ZP Member Vinaya Naik and others were present.