Ramzan gift’: NHAI imposes hefty toll tax on Kashmir Highway

Srinagar, May 7, CNS: Chaos and confusion prevailed on Kashmir Highway after commuters refused to pay what they termed as ‘unreasonable’ rate charged by National Highways Authority Of India as toll tax near Kachkoot on Srinagar-Jammu Highway.

Hundreds of vehicles got stranded near Kachkoot Fee (toll) plaza after they were stopped there, asked to pay Rs 85 as toll tax. Majority of the commuters objected to the order and refused to pay the tax while some of the commuters raised anti-government slogan, accusing government of India of harassing people of Kashmir on the one or the other pre-text.

Unaware about the development that National Highways Authority Of India has erected a toll plaza near Kachkoot, commuters on Tuesday morning came to know that they have to pay hefty sum as tax for their movement on Highway. “This is the Ramzan gift for us from Government of India that is adopting all tactics to harass us and cripple our economy,” said a commuter to news agency CNS.

Another commuter said that all the decisions being taken in Kashmir are anti-people. “An active anti-Kashmir lobby ruling the roost is seeking pleasure from harassment of people of Kashmir. First, it was highway ban and now imposition of heavy tax. This is sheer injustice towards us,” he said.

Kashmir economy is already in doldrums. The highway ban in force has affected business community badly. “One fails to understand how can one manage to pay Rs 170 for his to and fro journey on daily basis when he may not earn more than that a single day.”

An official from National Highways Authority Of India said that they are only following the directions from the top. “We have been asked to collect Rs 85 for single journey and Rs 70 for to and fro travel and we are doing that, despite strong objection from the local population.” (CNS)