The Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) has threatened to free toll plazas of Gautam Buddh Nagar from March 1. The farmers’ body said the BKU representatives have met UP Chief Minister and his Cabinet Ministers several times over for ending toll collection across the region but no action has been taken as yet. Meanwhile, a Minister from UP said that they have chalked out a plan to sort out the toll issue which will be announced soon. 

The senior members of the farmers’ organisation said the BKU has been demanding toll-free ride on Yamuna Expressway for farmers and locals of the area. The BKU has also demanded a cessation on toll collection on DND flyway for users of all categories. The farmers’ body said they have agitated more than a dozen times earlier but this will be their final agitation. The BKU is expected to join around 10,000 farmers during a protest that will block key roads, including DND flyway, Noida-Greater Noida Expressway and Yamuna Expressway.

Rakesh Tikait, a senior BKU leader, said he has personally met Akhilesh Yadav and other Ministers for removing toll plazas from the region and even the UP Chief Minister had assured of appropriate steps in this regard. “Since no further development has been made by the UP Government, the BKU along with other farmers’ organisations held a farmer meet (Mahapanchayat) in Greater Noida on February 25 wherein it was decided to start fresh agitation,” said Tikait.

Meanwhile, Rajendra Chaudhary, UP Cabinet Minister and official spokesperson of Samajwadi Party (SP), said the BKU has given its charter of demands in which the issue of toll plazas is also included. The Government has taken cognisance of the issue and outlined a resolution plan. “We have evaluated but haven’t reached a decision as yet. Hopefully, we will find a cohesive solution in the coming days which will be announced timely,” said Chaudhary.