From ban to toll tax, plying on highway nothing less than a nightmare, say commuters

Srinagar: A month after union Government imposed ban on the movement of civilian traffic on highway, now hefty toll tax is taxing has only added to woes of commuters.
Commuters on Tuesday morning came to know about the development that highway authority of India has erected a toll plaza near Chersoo Awantipora and they have to pay Rs 85 before crossing the toll post. This move of authorities is very harsh, said a commuter, adding that how can a person manage Rs 170 per day to pay as toll.
“The only thing they want is to keep people away from Highway. First they create roads in the name of public and then want to recover the money from people as well,” a commuter said. Moving on highway has become nightmare for Kashmiris, another commuter said.
A sumo driver said that if government does not revoke the order they will hit streets.”If they are concerned about their money and are imposing taxes. What about our money, what about our losses we incur by this harassment on highway. This government is behaving like thugs. They are blatantly anti-people,” the driver said.
Another driver also criticized Governor Satya Pal Malik led administration for being anti-people and deliberately agonizing people of Kashmir. “Will the Governor or GOI pay our loan EMIs? By these acts what do they expect from people, a respect? They should revoke the order otherwise it will only add to anger among people,” a driver said.
Kashmir is already going through economic crisis and the highway ban has affected the business community badly, when a common Kashmiri is not earning more than Rs 170 how can he manage to pay Rs 170 as toll on daily basis, said commuters.
Meanwhile, Traders Association and Sumo Union Anantnag have threatened to launch an agitation if toll tax order was not revoked immediately. Reports said that they protested at the premises of DC office Anantnag and provided a joint memorandum to deputy commissioner Anantnag to roll back toll tax decision.