Protest planned against toll tax plaza

MANSEHRA: The local government representatives on Tuesday announced to launch a protest drive to remove the toll tax collection plaza set up on the Karakoram Highway in the Khatain-Da-Galla area here.

“This collection point has been installed at a location where residents of three union councils within the district frequently cross, imposing an additional financial burden on them, especially after the recent doubling of the toll tax,” Assad Ali Shah, Chairman of Datta Village Council, told a press conference.

Flanked by residents and local government representatives, he said that traders, lawyers, and transporters had initially allowed the setting up of the toll plaza after the National Highway Authority committed not to increase the tax and to provide relief to locals, however, that promise has not been fulfilled.

“The current inflation has shrunk people’s purchasing power while increasing their expenses. In such a situation, the toll tax becomes an added financial burden,” Assad said.He pointed out that residents of Datta, Behali, and some parts of Ghazikot regularly pass through this toll plaza to reach Mansehra city.

The chairman of the village council further said that before setting up the toll plaza, the National Highway Authority had submitted a surety bond to the Peshawar High Court’s Abbottabad Circuit Bench committing to construct underpasses and overhead bridges on the Karakoram Highway within the city limits to ease traffic congestion.

“Apart from this, the National Highway Authority had also committed to doubling the width of the Karakoram Highway in Mansehra city. However, none of these projects have been initiated, and people continue to suffer as a result,” he said.Assad emphasized that traders, transporters, lawyers, and other segments of society would be consulted before launching the protest drive to remove the toll tax collection point.