In a dramatic escalation of their nearly two-week-long protest, farmers’ activists effectively shut down operations at the Ladhowal toll plaza on Sunday. Led by the Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union, the protest garnered support from taxi unions and other farmer organizations, demanding a reduction in toll rates.

“We have sealed all cabin gates at the toll plaza today by tying cloth strips as seals,” announced Union president Dilbag Singh. Since the start of their protest, vehicles have been passing through the toll plaza without paying any fees, a stance they intend to maintain indefinitely.

Speaking to a gathering, Singh highlighted the financial burden on commuters, citing toll rates of Rs 220 for single journeys and Rs 330 for multiple trips in four-wheelers. The protesters demanded rates be slashed to Rs 150 for multiple journeys within a 24-hour period.

“After presenting yet another memorandum to the District Administration today, we have lifted our dharna while securing the toll barriers,” he said, emphasizing that the Ladhowal toll plaza has witnessed three rate hikes in the past year alone, burdening commuters unfairly.

Singh further criticized the NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) and toll authorities for their lack of response to repeated demands for clarity on toll validity periods, suggesting the plaza operates without proper authorization.

The closure of Ladhowal toll plaza, claimed to be Punjab’s most expensive, has resulted in estimated savings of approximately Rs 16 crore for commuters. Singh expressed gratitude for the widespread support received from various unions and local communities.

Police reinforcements were deployed to prevent disruptions during the closure, underscoring the tense standoff between farmers and authorities over toll rates that have increasingly strained public finances.