Srirangapatna: Demanding for free toll passage, farmers held a protest against National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in front of Ganangur Toll Plaza on Mysuru-Bengaluru Highway on Tuesday.  

The joint protest was held by State Farmers Association Federation, Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association, Pro-Kannada Associations and Dalit Sangharsha Samithi (DSS). Following the protest, the toll collection was affected for nearly three hours.  

The farmers, taking NHAI official Devik to a task, questioned him with regard to collection of toll from farmers who transport fruits and vegetables. “We have not received the compensation for land acquired to construct the Highway and the NHAI has not been following the rules. Moreover, there are no facilities being provided to the commuters on the Highway,” they said and added that the incomplete service road works had created problems for the farmers. 

Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka State Sugarcane Growers Association President Kurbur Shanthakumar demanded for free passage for vehicles transporting vegetables and fruits on the Highway.  

Reacting to the farmers demand, NHAI official Devik said that he would bring the issue to the notice of the higher officials and discuss on creating a new lane to provide free passage for the farmers.  

Following the officials assurance, farmers dropped the protest giving them a deadline of a month to resolve the issues. They also threatened to intensify the protest on failing to solve the issue within the deadline.  

Kannada Sene District President H.C. Manjunath, farmer leaders Induvalu Chandrashekar, Manjesh Gowda, Athalli Devaraj, Kiragasoor Shankar, Bardarapura Nagaraj.