Anticipating disruption at DND toll plaza by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), heavy security was deployed on the stretch on Wednesday. On Tuesday, a group of farmers belonging to the union refused to pay toll charges protesting the hike in the user charges. The DND authority had hiked toll rates from April 1, which drew flack from all sections of the society.
To avert any untoward incident during peak hours, police were seen keeping close vigil at the entire flyway. The concerned authorities remained on their toes throughout the day. However, no Tuesday liked incident was reported.
It would be pertinent to mention that a few activists of BKU along with president of district unit Ajaypal Sharma reached DND flyway and asked the officials to free the toll plaza. After denying their move, the activists raised protest against the authority. later, the situation was controlled with the interference of Noida Authority and local police.
According to a senior traffic official, the recent move of the DND authority to hike toll rates is not being appreciated by the local people, entrepreneurs and farmers and we are apprehensive that a few of them may create ruckus at toll plaza like farmers, who had taken over toll plazas in western UP last year. The move led to loss of revenue as vehicles were allowed to cross toll gates without paying toll charges.
“As some activists of BKU had created stir on the flyway on Tuesday, some other organisations can also follow the same line. We have been keeping close eye on the entire carriageway, so that the traffic movement could not be affected,” said MP Singh, Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Noida.
Meanwhile, Noida Entrepreneurs Association (NEA), Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association (FoNRWA), district unit of BJP and other social organisations have also opposed the move of the DND authority approaching the concerned authorities to roll back the increased toll charges.
The president of NEA has personally handed over a letter to UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in this regard. They had sought intervention of the CM. FoNRWA has also written a letter to the city magistrate urging immediate interfere for decreasing toll rates. NEA has also demanded to appoint an independent auditor to audit the balance sheet of the toll company so their profit could be disclosed.