Minor concession of toll plaza serves no solution: Sahni
Shiv Sena demands toll-free NH-44
JAMMU: Shiv Sena (UBT) Jammu and Kashmir unit demanded Jammu-Pathankot National Highway (NH-44 toll-free at the Lakhanpur and Thandi Khui toll plazas, rejecting the meager concession of Rs 15-30 amid the damaged state of NH-4 due to its affected condition. The party has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory administration to exempt toll charges entirely.
Addressing a press conference at Party’s state headquarters, Manish Sahni State President Shiv Sena J&K stated that the number of toll plazas has increased significantly in Jammu and Kashmir since becoming a Union Territory. He said that the distance between the entry point of Lakhanpur and Katra is 149.3 kilometers. Along this route, three toll plazas have been set up for revenue collection, despite the fact that a large number of pilgrims visit the holy shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi from all over the country. It is unjustifiable to impose any form of toll charges on them, he said.
Sahni highlighted that extensive expansion and repair work have been underway on the Lakhanpur-Jammu highway for the past six months, and this has severely affected the road’s condition. Recent heavy rainfall and rising water levels in rivers led to the damage of the “Tarnah Nala Bridge,” which remains unrepaired, he said, adding that commuters are now compelled to opt for longer and narrower alternative routes, adding nearly 100 kilometers and three to four hours to their journey from Lakhanpur to Jammu. He emphasized that toll charges are being collected without providing adequate road facilities.
In the preceding days, NHAI announced a token reduction of Rs 15-30 following the request of Jammu and Kashmir’s Member of Parliament, Dr. Jatinder Singh. However, Sahni declared that this reduction is insufficient and fails to address the main issue.
Sahni pointed out that Jammu and Kashmir is the only Union Territory in the country where toll plazas are rampant. He stated that toll charges are not a toll on commuters but a toll on the public.
