Sambalpur/Rourkela/Rajgangpur: Members of six bar associations blocked movement of vehicles on the busy Sambalpur-Rourkela Biju Expressway on Saturday, in protest against the collection of toll tax.
Separate protests were organised at three toll gates at Rengali in Sambalpur district, Lainga in Rajgangpur and Masakanikani of Sundargarh district.
“We have been requesting the state government to completely withdraw toll collection on the expressway. Following a meeting convened on May 16, the Bar Association members of Sundargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Rajgangpur, Rourkela and Bonai submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in this regard. A deadline of May 25 was given to the government for fulfilment of the demand. But nothing has been done so far. Such step-motherly attitude of the government forced us to hit the streets,” an agitator said.
The protest will be intensified in the days to come, if the demand is not met at the earliest, he added.
Notably, the Biju Expressway was recently inaugurated by the Chief Minister.
