Toll plaza row: Transporters’ protest disrupts normal life

Tribune News Service
Jammu, October 17

Normal life in the region came to a halt as commercial vehicles, including passenger transport, remained off road against the newly installed toll plaza at Sarore along the Jammu-Pathankot national highway in Samba district.

The transporters, however, decided to call off the strike this evening after assurance from the administration that their demands would be looked into.

“We have called off our strike as the administration has assured us that the Secretary for Transport will soon take a call on the issue, besides they have promised the reduction of toll by 50 per cent,” said TS Wazir, chairman, All J&K Transport Welfare Association (AJKTWA).

Meanwhile, no commercial vehicle was seen on the roads on Thursday, which subjected common people, particularly pilgrims and tourists, to hardships.

“People had to visit many places, as it was a festival day today. But there was no transport available in the city. Everyone was looking for lift from private vehicles,” said Ajay Sharma, a resident of Muthi.

The bus and minibus services in Kathua and Samba district also remained off road on the fourth consecutive day. The transporters as well as the common people were up in arms against the newly installed toll plaza at Sarore in Samba district, which triggered protests in the region.

All political parties and social organisations have been holding protests against the toll plaza at their respective areas in the Jammu region.

The administration has, however, exempted all local private vehicles of Samba district from the purview of tax at Sarore Toll Plaza for the time being.

Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, told reporters that all kinds of local private vehicles of Samba district will get free token and dedicated lane at the toll plaza.

“The exemptions of toll for local private vehicles and slashing charge for others was a special gesture for this region only as toll plazas are being constructed everywhere for better roads,’’ the Divisional Commissioner said.