A peaceful agitation against toll collection held by various taxi operators near toll booths at Sadarhalli Gate on Monday led to the arrest of over 168 people who participated in the strike. The arrests were done as a preventive measure by the police to ensure that toll collections went on smoothly.
The protests started at around 11 am on Monday and within minutes, many including the President of All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), Mr G.R. Shanmugappa were arrested. They were detained at the CR Grounds near Hegde Nagar. Representatives of AIMTC, Bangalore Tourist Taxi Association (BTTOA), Karnataka State Maxi Cab Association, KSTDC Drivers and Owners Association and Karnataka Tourism Forum (KTF) participated in the protest and were subsequently arrested by the Chikkajala Police.
“We were holding a peaceful protest near toll booths and the police arrested us without any warning or intimation. How can they collect tolls when the project is still not completed?” said Mr Shanmugappa. Various city-based transport associations have been against the toll collection because nowhere in the country, are road users made to pay toll just before the international airport. They argued that people going to the airport use just a small stretch of the Bellary Road to reach the BIA. They also complained that the toll booths before the airport were creating traffic bottlenecks.
“Taxi operators are paying Rs 9750 per month per vehicle for using the road and for parking at BIA. Forcing tolls will be an additional burden on all users, especially the taxi passengers. We will continue with the strike unless NHAI at least promises to introduce monthly passes for cabs,” added Mr Shanmugappa.
