Toll tax is likely to rise at plazas across Punjab and Haryana after the government's sharp increase in fuel costs. Punjab's farm bodies have vowed to stage a nationwide demonstration, describing the move as yet another attempt by the Centre to agitate the state's people.
According to regulations issued by the National Highways Authority of India, toll plazas throughout Punjab, including Patiala and Sangrur, as well as Haryana, will begin charging an additional 10% to 18% toll starting April 1.
This implies that the Dhareri Jattan toll plaza on the Chandigarh-Patiala highway would charge Rs 45 for a one-way travel and Rs 65 for a two-way trip from vehicles, vans, or jeeps, instead of Rs 40 and Rs 55. Similarly, mini buses will now cost Rs 70 and Rs 105, respectively, as opposed to Rs 60 and Rs 90 previously.
"This is just another ruse to punish Punjab and Haryana for their farm protests and over-a-year-long agitation at toll plazas across the state”. The vice-president Devinder Poonia, Kirti Kisan Union said, "We will resist the move.
"On the one hand, the Centre claims to be farmer-friendly, while quietly making anti-people decisions." After the farmers' strike ended, toll plaza rates were raised to compensate for the losses experienced over the previous year, with little regard for the common man. Essential commodity prices are expected to rise as a result of this increase," he added.
The leaders said that until the government and toll plazas decrease the raised fees immediately, they will initiate a demonstration.
Farm unions across the state staged sit-ins at various toll plazas in December 2021, refusing to leave in protest of a "unreasonable" toll raise. "The move would aggravate inflation, as a rise in fuel and LPG costs has already affected the ordinary man's budget." According to a senior leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, "the state government must oppose such initiatives by the Centre."
Meanwhile, officials with the NHAI said the raise had been approved by the Centre and will take effect on April 1. "As the rise takes effect, we'll change the rates on the display boards," he added.
