DC meets farmer leaders over Ladhowal barrier row
Ludhiana, July 9
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sakshi Sawhney today held a meeting with farmer unions over the ongoing issue of Ladhowal toll barrier, which had been made “toll-free” by them for commuters. Ludhiana ADC Major Amit Sareen was among other officials who attended the meeting.
Dilbagh Singh, Punjab president of the Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union, along with other farmer leaders, attended the meeting.
Dilbag Singh said: “It was the initiative of the Deputy Commissioner as she called the meeting to listen to our demands. A two-hour discussion was held and a fresh memorandum was also submitted to the DC.” “We are firm on our demands and will not take back any of them. We want fulfilment of all our demands, which are for the welfare of the people. Another round of meeting was called on Thursday,” he said.
Dilbag asserted that unions were clear on their demands that include Rs 150 toll fee, which should be valid for 24 hours, no fee for people staying in the 20-km radius of the toll barrier and Rs 170 monthly charges for pass, etc. The union leader also raised the issue of poor upkeep of national highways by the NHAI.
The leaders said underpasses on highways are in bad shape, some stretches on the highways were also in a dilapidated condition and even washrooms built at the toll barrier are in insanitary state.
The farmers said the company at the helm of affairs of the toll barrier also indulge in corruption. They allow buses and big vehicles to pass the barrier by taking bribe and without charging money on record.
About the hearing in the high court on the petition filed by the NHAI, the leaders said unions had hired a lawyer in the high court who would fight for the farmers.
ADC Major Amit Sareen said on the demands of the farmers regarding issues such as poor upkeep of underpasses, lack of cleanliness in public washrooms and broken roads, directions were issued to the officials concerned and to discuss other demands, a fresh meeting will be held with farmers on Thursday and hopefully, an amicable solution will be found.
