Congress and many organizations raised voice against Lachhiwala toll plaza

Warning of Major Protest if Lachhiwala Toll Plaza is Not Removed Soon

Protesters Cite Frequent Accidents on the Slope and Alleged Economic Exploitation

Doiwala, March 30, 2025

A large number of Congress members, along with people from Dehradun, Doiwala, Rishikesh, and Haridwar, protested at the Lachhiwala Toll Plaza, demanding its removal. The protest was called by the Parvadun District Congress and was supported by the Nationalist Regional Party and the Taxi Union.

Demonstrators sent a memorandum to the Union Minister of Road Transport through Sub-Divisional Magistrate Aparna Dhoundiyal, emphasizing the dangers posed by the toll plaza.

Reasons Behind the Protest

• Protesters claimed that the toll plaza was constructed in violation of safety standards, making travel hazardous.

• They labeled it a means of economic exploitation, arguing that it unfairly taxed even those who rarely use the highway.

• They accused toll plaza employees of misbehavior and physical altercations with vehicle owners.

• Recent fatal accidents at the toll plaza were cited as proof of its dangers, especially due to its location on a steep downhill slope.

Political Leaders Speak Out

Former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who joined the protest, stated that vehicle owners from Haridwar, Rishikesh, Kotdwar, and other parts of Garhwal must pay the toll even for infrequent visits to Dehradun. He vowed to raise the issue forcefully.

Parvadun District Congress President Mohit Uniyal pointed to a recent accident in which two people lost their lives due to a dump truck hitting their car at the toll plaza. He demanded:

• Apology from the government and administration for negligence.

• Compensation of ₹50 lakh for the families of the deceased.

Congress leaders Gaurav Chaudhary and Kartar Negi criticized the recent toll tax hike, calling it an additional economic burden on an already struggling public. They warned of intensifying the movement if the toll plaza is not removed soon.

Environmental Concerns

Kartar Negi highlighted that the toll plaza is located within an elephant corridor in the Lachhiwala forest area, where wildlife movement is common. He accused the government of ignoring environmental regulations for financial gain.

Call for Stronger Action

Congress leader Umed Bora alleged that both the central and state governments are ignoring public welfare by increasing toll taxes and neglecting road safety. He urged for unity in the fight against what he described as “financial oppression.”

Participants in the Protest

The protest saw participation from prominent Congress members, including:

• Harish Rawat (Former CM)

• Mohit Uniyal (District Congress President)

• Gaurav Chaudhary (PCC Member)

• Hema Purohit (Seva Dal State President)

• Kartar Negi (Doiwala Congress President)

• Mahendra Bhatt (Block Congress President)

• Rakesh Singh (Rishikesh Congress President)

Additionally, representatives from the Nationalist Regional Party and local citizens joined the demonstration, reinforcing demands for removal of the toll plaza.

Next Steps

Protesters warned that if the government fails to take action soon, a larger and more aggressive movement will be launched to ensure the toll plaza’s removal.