Bharuch locals led by MLA force shut down reopened toll booth

Bharuch, 20 November 2013

Various groups of local citizens of Bharuch led by local BJP MLA Dushyant Patel forced closure of Zadeshwar toll tax booth in Bharuch district again on Tuesday night. The locals had protested and forced closure of this toll booth earlier too, but it reopened at 10.00 pm on Tuesday again. As soon as the locals received information, they rushed and forced closure of the booth again. The locals were joined by Junior chamber, Ankleshwar Industries Association, Lions club, women’s groups among others. They staged demonstration with placards and banners.

The locals oppose toll tax booth because it causes traffic jam. Thousands of vehicles suffer for hours in traffic jam due to this toll tax booth. Local BJP MLA Dushyant Patel wants the toll tax contractor to stop collecting tax till new bridge is constructed on Narmada. Locals said the tax collection period was over in December 2012 and only one track is operational as old Sardar Bridge declared as non operational. Despite there being no need of tax collection, the time limit was extended till March 2014.

Meanwhile Rajya Sabha MP Ahmed Patel who belongs to Bharuch has requested prime minister to halt toll tax collection on this booth for smooth run of traffic.