Ladhowal Toll Plaza Reopens After 46-Day Farmer Protest

Ladhowal Toll Plaza Reopens After 46-Day Farmer ProtestAfter a 46-day protest by various farmer unions, the Ladhowal toll plaza, the state’s most expensive, has reopened, with commuters now required to pay the hefty toll fee.

A significant police presence was deployed at the barrier early Wednesday morning to ensure the smooth reopening.

Despite a call by Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union Punjab president Dilbagh Singh to prevent the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) from reopening the toll barrier, a group of farmers arrived to protest. However, several leaders, including Dilbagh Singh, were detained by police near the toll barrier.

The toll barrier was reopened early in the morning, and staff began charging fees from commuters.

Dilbagh Singh had previously stated that even if the High Court ruled against the farmer unions, they would not allow the NHAI to reopen the toll barrier and charge hefty fees from commuters.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently ordered the reopening of the toll plaza following a petition by the NHAI, which demanded the resumption of toll collection. The Punjab Government had requested a four-week delay for the reopening.

Farmers have been demanding a reduction in the toll fee, stating that they would not permit toll collection until the NHAI agreed to lower the fee to Rs 100 or Rs 150 for multiple rides within 24 hours.