MANGALURU: The dawn-to-dusk protest against collection of toll at the toll plaza in Talapady on National Highway-66 has been called off, after Navayug Udupi Tollway Pvt Ltd agreed to allow motorists in the five kms radius to use the toll plaza without toll.The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by minister for food, civil supplies and consumer affairs U T Khader, Mangaluru city North MLA B A Mohiuddin Bava, deputy commissioner K G Jagadeesha, officials of PWD, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Navayuga Udupi Tollway Pvt Ltd on Saturday.Khader told reporters that toll will not be collected from private vehicles of people within five kms radius of the toll gate till February 25. Those who travel in private vehicles should show Aadhaar Card to prove their local address to avail the benefit. Meanwhile, commercial vehicles of people in 20 kms radius will be given a pass of Rs 235 per month. The relaxation will be applicable for vehicles registered in Mangaluru (KA-19) and Kasaragod (KL-14), Khader said.Another meeting will be held on February 25 to discuss the issue further. "The company will conduct a survey of total number of vehicles before February 25. Meanwhile, we also have asked the NHAI officials to complete all peripheral works including construction of service roads at the earliest," Khader said.The meet also resolved that all employees at toll plaza should wear uniform and wear name badges. A police verification certificate should be made mandatory for the appointment of staff at toll plaza. The company should appoint women employees at toll plaza for day duty. All basic facilities including drinking water should be provided at the toll plaza, Khader said adding that the company representatives have agreed to those resolutions at the meeting.

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