Chaos reigns at Laddowal toll
LADDOWAL(LUDHIANA):TOTAL chaos prevailed at Laddowal toll plaza located near the Sutlej river on Ludhiana-jalandhar national highway (NH-44) as the new FASTAG rules came into effect on Wednesday.
There are 11 lanes at the plaza to accommodate the commuters. However, 10 of these were dedicated for the vehicles using FASTAG and only one lane was left to facilitate the commuters making cash payment.
This resulted in chaos as a serpentine queue of vehicles was witnessed at the lone cash lane.
A toll plaza staff employee said, “Earlier, there used to be three cash lanes here, but after receiving directions from the authorities, the number of cash lanes was reduced to merely one on Wednesday.”
The problem was further compounded after vehicles such as tractors and trailers ferrying agricultural goods also entered cash lanes.
Even the commuters not having enough cash in their FASTAG wallet were directed towards the cash lane which also increased the rush. Heated arguments ensued when FASTAG users were asked to shift towards cash lane.
Commuters with no FASTAG on their vehicles were being penalised for entering FASTAG lanes by charging double toll.
Akshit Taneja, a Ludhiana resident, who was stuck in the
SERPENTINE QUEUE OF VEHICLES WITNESSED AT LONE CASH LANE; HEATED EXCHANGES WITNESSED BETWEEN COMMUTERS AND PLAZA EMPLOYEES
cash lane, said, “It has been nearly a week since I have applied for the FASTAG though the bank, but it has not been delivered yet.”
He added, “They shouldn’t have reduced the cash toll booths at least for the time being. People are steadily shifting towards FASTAG, but forcing something on people is not justified.”
Toll plaza employees were also not satisfied with the new directions.
“We are just following the orders. Even we wished that more lanes should have been left for commuters who want to use cash. But we were directed that only one lane will be allowed for vehicle owners opting for cash,” said a toll plaza employee, seeking anonymity.
Sandeep Sharma, deputy manager of Laddowal toll plaza, said one cash lane was left operational after receiving the directions from the government.
The Union ministry of road transport and highways had set December 15, 2019, as the deadline for mandatory FASTAG on vehicles. Later, the date was first extended to December 31 and then finally to January 15, 2020.