Cong supports khap ultimatum, seeks removal of toll tax on UER-2

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Devender Yadav on Sunday extended support to the 360 Khap Mahapanchayat’s ultimatum to the government to rollback toll tax from the Urban Extension Road (UER-2) by September 20. He said the Congress would stand with villagers and farmers if they began an indefinite dharna on September 21.

“Delhi Congress supports the 360 Khap Mahapanchayat’s ultimatum to the government to remove toll tax by September 20. And if on the 21st, the villagers sit on an indefinite dharna, we will stand with them,” said Yadav.

He reminded that the Congress had opposed the toll since the highway’s inauguration. “The land for UER-2 had been acquired at throwaway prices to construct the Dwarka Expressway.”

Calling the toll unjustified, he added, “The fight of Delhi dehat against the collection of toll tax from the residents of the rural areas is unjustified. The UER-2 is vital for the rural economy as it provides for a smooth commute to the farms.” Yadav said the toll of Rs 250 per day was “unreasonable and illogical” as the highway was built on farmers’ land. He accused the BJP of repeatedly ignoring panchayat demands, adding that anger was rising among the villagers.

He also alleged corruption in the project, Yadav said, “Due to corruption, the UER-2 took 13 years to be constructed and it also proved to be the most expensive national highway. An amount of Rs 150 crore was sanctioned, but the construction of just 55.4 kms of the highway costed Rs 5,580 crore.” He added that while the government was not compensating the farmers for the extra expenditure incurred, it should be held accountable for the inflated bill.”