Bharuch: Local travel operators and drivers staged a protest at the Mulad toll plaza in Bharuch district on Wednesday against toll collection, leading to major traffic disruption in the area.

The situation turned tense when protesting drivers parked their buses at the toll plaza, demanding exemption from toll charges for local vehicles. The protest triggered long queues of vehicles stretching up to the Mulad intersection, causing significant inconvenience to commuters. Police later reached the spot, pacified the protesters, and restored normal traffic flow.

Drivers Protest Toll Collection, Traffic Mismanagement

Thousands of vehicles pass through the Mulad toll plaza daily, and a long-standing dispute persists between local operators and toll authorities over toll collection from local vehicles. The protesters alleged that charging toll from local vehicles is unjust and reiterated their demand for exemption.

They also raised concerns over frequent traffic congestion on the highway, claiming that broken-down vehicles on the bridge are often not cleared for hours, worsening the situation.

‘Why Pay Toll if Stuck in Jams?’

Expressing frustration, drivers questioned the rationale behind toll collection when commuters are forced to remain stuck in traffic for extended periods, sometimes up to two hours. As part of the protest, drivers halted buses at the toll plaza, leading to a massive traffic jam from Mulad Toll Plaza to Mulad Chowkdi. Passengers were among the worst affected by the disruption.

Toll Operators Defend Charges; Police Intervene

Toll plaza operators rejected the allegations, stating that toll is being collected strictly in accordance with government norms. As tensions escalated, local police intervened and persuaded the protesters to disperse. Traffic movement on the highway was subsequently normalised. DeshGujarat