Jammu & Kashmir: Private Transporters On Indefinite Strike Against New Toll Plaza at Sarore, Commuters Left Hassled

Jammu & Kashmir, October 17: All Jammu & Kashmir Transport Welfare Association have been holding an indefinite strike from Lakhanpur to Kashmir in protest against the newly set up toll plaza at Sarore along the Jammu-Pathankot highway in Samba district.

According to an ANI tweet, Gurmeet Singh, President, Jammu-Kathua Bus association said, "We are demanding that the toll plaza be completely shut, we can't afford to pay the toll tax. We pay road tax and every other tax. It is not a toll tax but 'Gunda tax'. We are charged Rs 225 for a single side crossing. Toll Plazas To Go Off National Highways Soon; Here's Why And How.

Check ANI tweet:

The commuters, including students and office-goers, faced hardships in the absence of the private passenger vehicles even as the government pressed State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) fleet on different routes to enable the people to reach their destinations.

Auto-rickshaws were seen operating only in some few routes, and the people were seen waiting for several hours to make their way back home.  The toll plaza at Sarore was inaugurated by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on October 11. It drew severe criticism from all sections of the society and political parties, including the BJP which had written a two-page letter to the Union Transport Ministry seeking its abolishment. The Congress, National Panthers Party (NPP), National Conference and the PDP had also demanded immediate abolishment of the toll plaza.

(With inputs from agencies)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 17, 2019 04:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).