Villagers at Sansarpur Terrace stage protest over toll hike, demand relief

Anger broke out among people in border areas after the Government of Himachal Pradesh announced an increase in entry toll rates at barrier points located on the Punjab border from April 1. Upset over the decision, villagers from Talwara and Hajipur held a protest today at the toll barrier situated at Sansarpur Terrace on the interstate border.

A large number of people gathered under the leadership of youth leader Sunny Mehta, senior citizen Avtar Krishan, and Bishan Dass Sandhu. The protesters said that the toll hike will not only put financial burden on the public but may also disturb the long-standing brotherhood between the two neighbouring states.

They said Sansarpur Terrace is an important industrial area, and the increase in toll will directly affect workers from Punjab and local traders who travel daily. Hundreds of employees of the Bhakra Beas Management Board commute every day for duty to Pong Dam and different offices in Sansarpur Terrace. For them, the increased toll is unacceptable.

Speakers at the protest said that high entry fees may also reduce the number of tourists coming to Himachal Pradesh, which could negatively affect the state's revenue and local businesses.

During the protest, leaders strongly criticised the state government, alleging that it is collecting toll in an arbitrary manner. They warned that if the Himachal government does not withdraw the hike and does not provide toll-free access to people living within a 20-kilometre radius, they will demand the Government of Punjab to impose entry tax on vehicles coming from Himachal Pradesh.

The protesters also appealed to Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to understand the ground reality and immediately withdraw the toll hike in public interest, providing relief to local residents.