Villagers protest against toll collection on Bangalore-Mangalore highway

Villagers staying along the Bangalore-Mangalore highway have raised protests against toll collection from commuters using this stretch of road even as contractors were gearing up for it. These villagers who had to part with their lands as part of the development of this highway have collectively opposed the move by contractors to collect tolls by holding demonstrations in protest.

Compensation for parted land not extended:

The villagers, many of whom had to sacrifice their land towards the development of the highway project are peeved that they have not been paid compensation for the land that they had to forgo. With the construction work on the project yet to be completed, protests by the villagers are gaining momentum, and are set to mar the plans of contractors to go ahead with toll collections.

Villagers’ tales of woe:

Many of the villagers who had lost their land had woeful tales to tell. One of the villagers had to forgo five guntas of land near the Devihalli toll plaza without receiving any compensation in return. Inspite of her son making many rounds to the offices concerned, including the Deputy Commissioner’s office, there has been no response from the authorities concerned. As yet, they are still unaware of the price fixed by the authorities for their land.

Compensation paid at under-value prices:

Another villager was a bit more lucky as he has received compensation, even though at under-valued prices, for the 12 guntas of land that he had to part with. He received compensation of Rs.10,500 for each gunta of land as well as Rs.8,000 for each coconut tree that was on this land. He was dissatisfied with the compensation received as each gunta of land in the vicinity commanded prices between Rs.3-5 lakh. There were many others in the vicinity who received far less compensation, many as less as Rs.1,800 per gunta. Following mediations with the Deputy Commissioner, it was decided to triple the compensation amount. However, the villagers are yet to receive the arrears  they were promised.

Grouse against service road not constructed:

Another grievance that the villagers hold against the authorities is that a service road on either side of the highway has not been developed for their use. Since the highway divides the village into two, the villagers will be left stranded on either side, considering that there is no underpass either to connect the two sides. Another grouse that they hold is that they will be forced to pay a toll for traveling within their own village.

Concession on toll to benefit villagers:

To assuage the fears of the villagers, the toll plaza manager assured them that toll collections would commence only after necessary permissions were received from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Moreover, a concession would also be granted on the toll amount to villagers in the area.  By paying Rs.215, they can buy a monthly pass, which will enable them to use the road for the entire month.