Collection of toll from motorists using the private road in the Church of South India (CSI) complex on Mission Road was stopped on Thursday following a protest by the pro-Kannada outfit, Nava Nirmana Sene, on Wednesday. Members of the Nava Nirmala Sene removed the barriers of the toll booth installed on the complex premises and registered their protest against collection of toll from motorists using the private road on the complex premises.
The CSI complex houses the Unity Buildings, Annexe and Silver Jubilee buildings. The private road on the complex premises is used by motorists as it is a shortcut from N.R. Square to Lalbagh Road. The road is owned by the Church of South India Trust Association, administered by the Karnataka Inter-Diocesan Administrative Finance and Property Board.
While motorists welcomed the move to stop toll collection, tenants of the complex were disappointed. “Setting up the toll booth was a good move. The gates were set up on the premises for the benefit of the tenants and customers. It wasn’t meant for the general public. Because of the toll booth, there was less noise and more traffic discipline,” said one of the tenants seeking anonymity. However, Rohit, a regular road-user, said the collection of toll had upset many motorists using the thoroughfare to beat the long distance between Lalbagh Road and N.R. Square through J.C. Road. Another tenant said that setting up of the toll booth was correct decision as per law, and actions of the protesters were nothing short of vandalism.
The toll of Rs. 5 per two-wheeler/autorickshaw and Rs. 10 per four-wheeler was collected between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. from December 16.
The toll was also being adjusted accordingly for those who would park their vehicles in the complex.
Visitors had to pay Rs. 10 per hour for two-wheeler parking and Rs. 20 per hour for four-wheeler parking.
