Normal life was partially affected in Jammu on Friday due to a ‘chakka jam’ called by the All Jammu and Kashmir Transport Welfare Association (AJKTWA) to press its demand for the removal of a toll plaza along the Jammu-Pathankot highway in Samba district.
Public and private transport was off the roads, affecting the movement of people in the city. Lack of transport facilities also affected attendance in educational institutions.
However, shops and business establishments remained open.
The ‘chakka jam’ was called by the AJKTWA to protest against the bad condition of the highway and the newly set up Sarore toll plaza. The association has been demanding the abolition of the toll plaza.
Led by AJKTWA Chairman Ajit Singh, hundreds of people from various associations assembled in the Bhagwatinagar area and held protest demonstrations against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). They raised slogans against the NHAI and demanded the removal of the toll plaza.
A protest rally was also taken out to the toll plaza. Hundreds of vehicles remained lined up in one tube of the highway during the protest rally.
Singh said that the NHAI has not taken any steps to improve the condition of the highway despite the protests by various organizations. He said that the toll plaza should be abolished as it is causing inconvenience to the people.
The hunger strike by Dogra Aketa Front organised at Samba continued for the 9th consecutive day on Friday. The front is also demanding the removal of the toll plaza.
A day-long bandh was observed on the issue last Saturday on a call given by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) and was supported by several political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Congress, the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party.
