Amidst tight security provided by Bangalore North East Police division, day two of the toll collection at the NH-7 Sadahalli Gate enroute the Bangalore International Airport (BIA) witnessed a smooth going. The bandobast arrangement put in place by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) G Ramesh saw over 200 officers stationed at both-Plaza 1 for vehicles exiting the airport and at Plaza 2 for vehicles heading towards Hyderabad.
“So far, the atmosphere has been peaceful but we are expecting protests. The NE police division has done the needful. We have all kinds of customer reactions. But we are prepared for everything and we even have copies of all the important documents available for any customer or association to check,” said B Srinivas, Toll Manager, Navayuga Devanahalli Tollway Pvt Ltd.
Various associations of taxi and cab drivers are hoping that their problem will get sorted soon. “The Devanahalli Bar Council is planning to file an appeal in the HC on the matter. We are hoping that will bring us some solace,” said Radhakrishna Holla, Secretary, Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners’ Association.
The Bangalore Airport KSTDC Taxi Association is planning a meeting in the next two days to discuss the matter. “We will stage a protest. The customers think that we are overcharging for our benefit. But for us, this is an extra burden. We are protesting because the construction of neither the elevated highway, the signal free corridor nor the service road is complete. They cannot manipulate rules and collect toll without giving us one good road to travel,” said Neelakantha, General Secretary, Airport Taxi Association.