Punjab : Farmers make Ludhiana’s Ladhowal plaza toll-free amid protest against hike in toll charges
Punjab : In a protest against escalating toll rates in Punjab, the Bhartiya Kisan Mazdoor Union (BKU-M) and BKU (Doaba) decided to make Ludhiana's most expensive toll plaza - Ladhowal toll plaza free for commuters from today.
Earlier, farmers issued a deadline to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) demanding a reduction in toll fees to the lowest possible level by Saturday.
If their demands were not met, they threatened to make the toll free for commuters starting June 16.
Both unions have jointly announced their resolve to continue their agitation until NHAI agrees to lower the toll rates
. A statement issued by the unions highlighted the daily hardships faced by people due to the exorbitant toll fees at Ladhowal Plaza. They emphasised that their decision to make the toll plaza free is aimed at alleviating this burden on commuters.
The president of BKU(M), Dilbagh Singh Punjab, claimed that commuters were having difficulties due to the NHAI's three-year hike in toll prices. "We have to pay road tax whenever we purchase a car or other vehicle, and we have to pay it again now that these toll walls have been installed. This is completely intolerable.”
NHAI authorities have yet to respond to the farmers' demands.
According to the latest update on toll charges, car owners are now paying Rs 220 for a single journey (previously Rs 215) and Rs 330 for a return journey (previously Rs 225).
Light vehicle owners are charged Rs 535 for a return journey within a day (previously Rs 520).
Bus and truck drivers are facing increased toll charges, with Rs 745 for a single journey (previously Rs 730) and Rs 1,120 for a return journey (previously Rs 1,095).
- PTC NEWS
