TEAM HERALD
[email protected]
CANACONA: Despite mounting opposition from residents of bordering areas of Karnataka, work is in full swing to erect a toll booth to collect entry fees from outstation vehicles entering Goa from Polem.
On Monday, a booth was placed at the NH17 road centre, separated by a divider for vehicles entering and leaving the State at Shelim, about 2 kms away from the Polem border. A board displaying rates as entry fees for different sizes of vehicles has been placed at the site.
Various vehicle associations from neighbouring Karwar, after resorting to a road blockade agitation at Majali on Saturday, have threatened to launch an indefinite agitation if Goa government goes ahead and implement collecting entry fees from outstation vehicles entering Goa from April 15.
Undeterred by threats from across the State’s border, Goa government is adamant in implementing its decision, as reportedly clarified by PWD Minister Sudin Dhavlikar, who responded to opposition from various quarters from outside the State on Sunday.
Interestingly, several residents in Canacona taluka have questioned the placement of the toll booth over 2 kms away from Goa’s checkpost at Pollem. It is alleged this has been done to promote the business of a few influential personalities.
Locals have feared that those businesses located beyond the toll booth will be adversely hit once the toll booth begins to function from April 15.
