Ropar, December 16
The toll plazas, which had resumed operation after 432 days, were once again disrupted as farmer unions staged a protest against “unreasonable” hike in toll here today.
Members of several farmer unions forced the managements to stop the operation at the Solakhian toll plaza on the Chandigarh road and Nakkian toll plaza near Kiratpur Sahib.
The toll plaza at Solakhian had resumed operations yesterday at 11 am. The farmers reached the spot at 8 pm and forced the management to stop toll collection from commuters. The farmers said they would not allow toll collection till the management reversed the hike in charges.
The toll management tried to convince them, arguing that there was no unjustified increase in the toll. Senior project manager Damandeep Singh said the charges had been untouched, barring a hike of Rs 5 for 12-tyre heavy commercial vehicles. The farmers later allowed toll operation at 1 pm after an assurance that the charges would not be increased.
Similarly, the Nakkian toll plaza, which started collections at 12 noon yesterday, was forced to shut by members of the Kirti Kisan Union at 2 pm today, stating they would not allow charging of increased toll.
Toll plaza manager Darshan Kumar promised to discuss the issue with his seniors, following which the farmers allowed resumption of toll operations at 5 pm. — TNS
Farmers disrupt toll collection at Ropar
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