The country's most expensive toll plaza at Ladowal, Ludhiana, Punjab has become free from 10 am on Sunday (June 16). Farmers are protesting today against the rising rates of toll. On June 10, the BKM Union had issued a warning to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) saying that if the old rates of Ladowal toll plaza were not implemented by Saturday, it would be made completely free on Sunday.
As such, protests are going on at the Ladowal Toll plaza, where the toll collecting staff has been removed from their post. Protesting farmers have taken over the toll booth, and vehicles are reportedly passing through without having to pay any tax.
Farmer leaders issued the ultimatum on social media. Toll rates have been increased for the third time in the year. The state's most expensive road tax is currently being collected at the Ladowal toll plaza, located on NH-44 of the National Highway Authority of India. People are very angry about this expensive toll plaza.
BKU leader, Dilbagh Singh, said Ladhowal toll barrier is the Punjab’s most expensive toll plaza and since it’s inception in 2009, it’s contract is being continuously revised by the government. The plaza might have collected hundreds of crores and still it is adding burden on the people. The farmers demand that the toll plaza should charge the bare minimum fee, saying that the current price of Rs 220 for a single journey should be brought down to Rs 150, and similarly rates should be reduced for the other vehicles and journey too.
Old vs the new rates at the Ladowal Toll Plaza: