Villagers on Rohtak-Panipat highway demand toll-free passage

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, January 9

Having paid toll tax for several years before the farmers’ protest, residents of 16 villages located around Makrauli toll plaza on the Rohtak-Panipat highway now want free passage through the toll booth.

They have submitted a memorandum to the toll plaza in this respect. Raju Makrauli, who is leading the villagers, said the decision to ensure toll-free passage for residents of 16 villages and leaders of farm unions was taken at a panchayat of these villages held at Makrauli toll plaza yesterday.

“These villages include Rithal, Kahni, Ghilaur, Khera, Jasia, Sanghi, Khidwali, Katwada, Jindran, Brahmanvaas, Bansantpur, Dhamar, Makrauli Khurd, Makrauli Kalan, Chamaria and Ghuskani. Since the villagers have to use the highway to go to Rohtak every day for different reasons and the majority of them cannot afford the toll tax, we are demanding toll-free passage by showing their identity card,” he added.

Jasbir Singh, manager at the toll plaza, said residents of nearby villages had been given the facility of monthly pass for Rs 285 for private vehicles. They could avail the facility by showing their residence proof. Their memorandum has been sent to the higher authorities for consideration.

“We will follow the directives received from higher officers in this respect,” the manager added.

Meanwhile, Virendra Hooda, national president of Toll Hatao Sangharsh Samiti, announced the national and state office-bearers of his outfit.

“Mahendra Rana of Delhi has been appointed the national general secretary, Raveena Kumari is national spokesperson, Dheeraj Tohana is president of Haryana, Charan Kalka is general secretary, Michael Saini and Wazir Singh Makrauli are spokespersons. Harish Hoon has been appointed president of Uttar Pradesh (UP), Hamid Malik of Jammu and Kashmir, Dayanand Patil of Karnataka and Anil More of Maharashtra,” the manager added.

Submit memorandum

• Villagers submitted a memorandum to the toll plaza in this respect
• The manager at the toll plaza said villagers had been given the facility of monthly pass for Rs285 for private vehicles
• They can avail the facility by showing residence proof. Their memorandum has been sent to higher authorities for consideration