‘No road, no toll’ protest at Baretha Toll Plaza:Protesters vandalise booth over online toll collection

A protest demanding the widening of the Gwalior–Bhind–Etawah National Highway (NH-719) began on Monday afternoon at Baretha Toll Plaza in Malnpur. The agitation, titled ‘No Road, No Toll’, started around 12 noon under the leadership of Sant Kalidas Maharaj. Protesters gathered at the toll plaza to press for widening of the highway. Soon after the protest began, some demonstrators created a ruckus at the site. They allegedly vandalised the toll booth while protesting against the collection of toll through the online system. Following the incident, a heavy police force was deployed at the toll plaza to control the situation. Protest over online toll collection During the protest, some demonstrators claimed that toll workers were describing the plaza as toll-free, but vehicles were still being charged through the online system. According to the protesters, scanners installed at the toll plaza automatically deduct money from vehicles passing through the route. They alleged that the deductions are happening despite claims that the stretch is toll-free. The issue has led to resentment among local residents and commuters using the highway. Protesters said they would continue to oppose toll collection until the highway is widened and the issue is resolved. See 4 pictures of the protest… Saint community divided ahead of protest Just before the protest began, the saint community was divided into two groups. Sant Samiti state president Ramdas Maharaj released a video calling for the protest to be postponed. However, district president Kalidas Maharaj released another video around 2 am on Sunday, rejecting the state president’s statement and announcing that the protest would take place as scheduled. State president alleges political interference In his video message, Ramdas Maharaj said some political elements had entered the movement. He alleged that these people were trying to create an atmosphere against the government. He also said that the Chief Minister and other ministers had assured that work on the highway project would start soon. Locals call NH-719 ‘Highway of Death’ Kalidas Maharaj said the poor condition of National Highway-719 has led people to call it the “Highway of Death”. He said road accidents frequently occur on the stretch, leading to the deaths of people and animals. He added that the demand to widen the highway has been pending for the past two years. Delegation had met Gadkari The proposal to widen the highway has been pending for nearly two years. Around ten months ago, a delegation of saints met Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The meeting was held in the presence of Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. During the meeting, Gadkari had assured that construction work would begin within six months. Heavy police deployment at toll plaza Anticipating protests and differences within the saint community, the administrations of Bhind and Morena districts had already been put on alert. Barricades were set up around Baretha Toll Plaza as a precaution. After the vandalism incident during the protest, a large number of police personnel were deployed at the site.