Mangaluru, (DHNS): MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that he has written to the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to close Surathkal and B C Road toll plazas in Dakshina Kannada district.

Speaking to reporters here, he said that the issue of two toll plazas functioning within 10 -km radius and the toll gate in the city corporation limits has been brought to the notice of the Union minister. There was a legal hurdle to close down the tollgate and the minister, in turn, has promised to look into the issue and act accordingly, he said.

National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) Regional Officer R K Suryavamshi too has submitted a report on the issue. The minister will convene a meeting shortly to decide about it.

The MP charged that the protest against the closure of Surathkal toll gate is politically motivated. The toll gate was sanctioned during the UPA regime and Oscar Fernandes was the Union minister then. Why the protesters failed to raise their voice then? he asked.

He said the CPM, which is supporting the protest in Surathkal, has failed to raise voice against the collection of toll near a bridge in Kanhangad in Kerala for the last 35 years.

He said that the work on four-laning of NH 66 has gained momentum and the flyoverwork at Thokkottu will be completed by December-end and at Pumpwell by January-end.

The issue of collecting toll on a service road at Hejamady too has been brought to the notice of the Union minister, he explained.

Smart city projects
The MP said that he will write to the prime minister on three works taken up under Smart City projects by altering the original proposals submitted under Smart City.

Stating that these projects will lead to corruption, he said that he will urge the prime pinister to direct the authorities to verify these projects. The proposal on Clock Tower, road work from A B Shetty to Clock Tower and bus stands are being implemented in a hurried manner. These projects were not part of the original proposals submitted, he said.