Farmers Lock Ladhowal Toll Plaza Over High Rates

Farmers' activists closed gates at Ladhowal toll plaza after weeks of protests demanding reduced toll rates. Led by the Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union, the demonstrators, along with taxi unions and other organizations, sat on a dharna. They argue the high fees put financial strain on commuters.

On Sunday, activists from a farmers' organization escalated their ongoing protest at Ladhowal toll plaza by sealing the gates of all cabins. This action follows nearly two weeks of agitation, demanding a decrease in toll rates.

Protesters, under the umbrella of the Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union, had commenced their dharna on June 16. The movement garnered backing from taxi unions and other farmers' groups.

Union President Dilbag Singh explained, ''By shutting the gates, we've intensified our protest. For the last two weeks, vehicles have traversed the toll plaza without paying, and this will continue until our demands are met.''

The protest aims to reduce the toll fee, which Singh claims places a significant financial burden on commuters. Currently, the fee stands at Rs 220 for a single journey in a four-wheeler and Rs 330 for multiple journeys. The union insists these rates be slashed to Rs 150 for unlimited journeys within a 24-hour period.

Despite submitting a new memorandum on Sunday and lifting their dharna, Singh emphasized their cause is far from over. He highlighted that the Ladhowal toll plaza is Punjab's most expensive, with rates raised thrice in the past year.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)