Discounted Annual FASTag Pass for Residents Within 20 km of Toll Plazas from November 1: MP Kota Srinivas Poojary
Udupi: Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary has directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and toll contractors to take necessary steps to provide discounted annual FASTag passes to residents living within a 20-km radius of national highway toll plazas, with effect from November 1. The initiative is aimed at providing relief and convenience to local commuters.
He spoke at a meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office auditorium in Rajathadri, Manipal, on Friday to review the increasing number of road accidents along National Highway 66, particularly at Kota, Padubidri, Tekkatte and other locations.
The MP instructed NHAI officials and contractors to ensure that highways are scientifically designed, properly maintained and safe for motorists, particularly in view of the toll charges collected from road users. He stressed the need for regular maintenance to ensure smooth and safe traffic movement.
Expressing concern over the rising number of accidents and fatalities on NH-66, Poojary said toll contractors must not limit their responsibilities to collecting tolls but must also ensure that highways are maintained in accordance with prescribed standards. He warned that legal action would be initiated against the concerned officials or contractors if accidents occur due to inadequate road maintenance in the future.
He pointed out that contractors’ responsibilities are clearly outlined in their agreements. However, highway maintenance in the district has not been satisfactory and does not meet the prescribed government guidelines. He cautioned that continued negligence could lead to public resentment and reluctance among commuters to pay toll charges.
The MP said that 22 accident-prone black spots had been identified along national highways in the district. He directed NHAI engineers and contractors to urgently implement scientific road safety measures at these locations and major junctions. These measures should include streetlights, signboards, barricades and blinkers to improve visibility and reduce accidents.
Regarding the service road project from Ambagilu to LVT in Udupi, he said tree clearance and drain construction works had commenced and instructed officials to complete the project at the earliest. As Ambagilu is a major junction, he stressed the need for additional safety measures to prevent accidents arising from heavy traffic movement.
Service road projects have also been taken up at Nittoor, Tekkatte, Kumbhashi and other locations in the district. Poojary directed the authorities to expedite the works without compromising on quality and make the roads available for public use, particularly in view of the frequent accidents reported in these areas.
He also expressed concern over the malfunctioning streetlights at the Kalyanpur-Santhekatte underpass, which inconveniences motorists travelling at night. He directed MESCOM and NHAI officials to coordinate and ensure that the lights remain operational throughout the night.
Regarding the skywalk under construction at Tenka Yermal, Poojary said local residents opposed the project and suggested discontinuing it. Instead, he called for steps to construct skywalks at high-traffic locations such as Ambagilu and near Mahesh Hospital in Brahmavar. He added that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was being prepared to develop an accident-free road stretch from Kundapura to Talapady, following the Kerala model.
Kaup MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty said people often expressed dissatisfaction with their elected representatives when proper roads were unavailable for smooth public transportation. He pointed out that heavy traffic at Padubidri had resulted in frequent accidents and an increasing number of casualties. He suggested constructing an overbridge or underpass at the location on priority to help prevent accidents.
Udupi MLA Yashpal A. Suvarna called for constructing a service road from Balaipade to Korangrapady. He also stressed the need to provide essential road safety infrastructure at all accident-prone locations.
Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, DFO Ruthrain P., Additional Deputy Commissioner Abid Gadyal, Assistant Commissioner Mahesh P.S., NHAI Project Director Abdul Javed Azmi, district-level officials, contractors, engineers, and others were present at the meeting.