2 toll plazas on NH-119 opens, farmers protest at Bhaneda plaza

Bijnor: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) opened two new toll plazas on Delhi-Pauri National Highway-119 on Tuesday, despite ongoing protest by farmers under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) at Bhaneda Plaza. The protesters, staging a dharna at Bhaneda plaza for the past seven days, claimed the road construction was incomplete, and hence toll tax should not be collected.
BKU divisional head Baburam Tomar said, “Two of three flyovers on the stretch between Bijnor and Najibabad are still under construction. Moreover, the service road near Jataniwala village is full of potholes. We demand that toll collection should not begin until construction is complete.”
NHAI project director Rajkumar Yadav said, “ Operations at toll plazas in Mawana and Bhaneda began on July 2. There is no protest at Mawana plaza. We have assured the farmers that toll will be charged only for completed section. Talks with farmers are going on.”