Revised toll not to be collected at Hejamadi for now
Udupi, Dec 2: The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has directed its regional office to not collect the combined user fee at the Hejamadi toll gate until a concrete decision or consensus is reached on the matter.
A press communique issued by NHAI on the revision of user fee rates at Hejamadi toll plaza following the closure of Surathkal toll gate said Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat had telephonically directed the regional authority to not collect user fee of Surathkal toll plaza at Hejamadi till December 5.
A meeting has been scheduled on December 5 by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari with the Ministers and MLAs of Udupi district to discuss the issue, Bhat said.
He said a meeting would be held on Saturday in which the Udupi district in-charge Minister and people's representatives would take part to discuss the merger of two toll plazas and its repercussions.
The Udupi MLA suggested considering the division of Surathkal toll plaza user fee equally among the three toll gates - Bhramarakotlu, Talapady, Hejamadi - instead of adding the entire user fee amount at Hejamadi gate which would lead to protests by the public.
Udupi deputy commissioner M Kurma Rao has also requested the NHAI officials to not collect the combined user fee at Hejamadi, terming the move as incorrect and unjustified.
The toll gate at Surathkal near here was closed on Thursday after prolonged protests by the public, citing the existence of two toll plazas within a 10-km distance which violated National Highway rules.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Elephant calf brought from Bijnor kept under care at Pilibhit Tiger Reserve
Pilibhit (PTI): A 19-day-old elephant calf, brought from Bijnor, was placed under care at the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) on Sunday, an official said and added that the calf got separated from its mother in the forest area of Bijnor.
The calf was born on December 2 in the Bijnor forest area and got separated from its mother shortly after birth, the official said.
The forest department made several attempts to reunite it with its mother, but without any success. To ensure the calf's safety and better care, it was decided to transfer it to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve on the instructions of senior officials.
On Saturday, Deputy Director Manish Singh received the calf. Special arrangements have been made in the reserve for its care. It has been kept in a safe and clean environment to provide it with a natural setting and protect it from external noise and disturbances.
Singh told reporters that raising an 19-day-old calf is challenging.
It requires a special diet as a substitute for mother's milk and constant monitoring.
He said a special team has been formed to provide 24-hour care. Since the calf is very young, it is being cared for like a newborn baby.
According to Singh, the primary responsibility for monitoring the calf's health has been entrusted to PTR's veterinarian, Dr Daksh Gangwar. Under his supervision, a complete record of the calf's health checkups, diet, and body temperature is being maintained. The team is ensuring that the calf does not contract any infection.
