Unfulfilled Promises: Jammu’s Hope for End of Discrimination Fades with Toll Plaza Disparity, says Col SS Pathania

03-04-2023 : Col SS Pathania, the President of the Sainik Samaj Party in Jammu and Kashmir, expressed his disappointment and anguish at the significant discrepancy in the number of toll plazas in the Jammu and Kashmir regions. In the Jammu region, there are five toll plazas along a 207-kilometer stretch, starting from Lakhanpur, Sarore, Ban, Nachri, and Banihal. On the other hand, there is only one toll plaza in the Kashmir region.

This disparity results in commuters in the Jammu region paying a significantly higher toll of 585 rs compared to the meager 120 rs paid by commuters in the Kashmir region. It is unclear whether this anomaly is due to discrimination, appeasement, or a misconception by the National Highway Authority, making it challenging to solve. The people of Jammu had hoped that the abrogation of articles 370 and 35A would end the era of discrimination, oppression, and exploitation, but that has not been the case.

Despite protests by various political parties, NGOs, and social organizations, the government has paid no attention to the demand for the removal of the Sarore Toll plaza. Even though Nitin Gadkari, the honorable minister, had stated in parliament in March 2022 that all toll plazas within 60 kilometers would be removed within three months, the Sarore Toll plaza remains functional even after almost a year.

Pathania appealed to the honorable Lt. Governor and Nitin Gadkari to review the status of toll plazas in Jammu and Kashmir and alleviate the suffering of the people of the Jammu region by dispensing equitable justice. The local leaders of the ruling dispensation have an obligation to meet the genuine demands and aspirations of the people of the Jammu region.