RAHA, July 22 - A total of seven organisations today staged a massive protest at Rontholi near Raha Toll Plaza, opposing toll collection.
The agitation was led by Akhil Gogoi, leader of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and Palash Changmai, general secretary of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP).
Leaders and activists of All Assam Tai Ahom Students� Union (AATSU), All Assam Koch Rajbongshi Students� Union (AAKRSU), All Adivasi Students� Association (AASA), Brihattar Asomiya Yuba Mancha (BAYM) and Bir Lachit Sena (BLS) in large numbers took active part in the protest.
Addressing the gathering, Akhil Gogoi lambasted the Centre, the State Government, NHAI and Nagaon district administration for reopening the toll gate at Raha and asked the authority to close down the toll plaza immediately.
He took a dig at the State Government and NHAI for collecting exorbitant toll from vehicles at Raha Toll Plaza and said that it was illegal.
The KMSS leader questioned the authorities regarding the absence of an alternative road if at all toll tax was to be imposed on commuters at Raha Toll Plaza.
�Without any alternative road, how can the Centre and NHAI impose such a toll tax on commuters travelling to and from Upper Assam through NH-37,� the KMSS leader asked.
He further questioned Nagaon ADC Lachit Das and other top administrative officials of Nagaon present on the spot about the imposition of toll tax when there are no roadside amenities such as waiting sheds, truck and bus terminus, etc. He questioned the NHAI and district administration how they allowed to build a toll plaza inside a town, which was against NHAI rules and law.
�No toll plaza can be built inside a town and Raha toll plaza is located at a distance of 2-3 kms from Raha town in Ward No. 7. This is illegal and against NHAI rules as a toll plaza can only be built at a distance of 10 kms away from the town. We vehemently condemn the authority for reopening the toll gate as this is akin to loot, for people travelling to Nagaon and beyond from Guwahati,� he said.
The AJYCP general secretary Palash Changmai also addressed the agitators and warned the NHAI and the State Government to be ready for an intense series of protests in the days ahead if toll collection at Raha Toll Plaza was not stopped immediately.
Owing to intense protest by KMSS and the other organisations, the NHAI authorities decided to temporarily keep on hold toll collection at Raha Toll Plaza for the next 24 hours with effect from 4 pm today. The organisations also submitted a memorandum to the Nagaon district administration to permanently close down the Raha Toll Plaza.
