Sambalpur: Local residents of Sambalpur under the aegis of the Sambalpur Highway Users’ Forum observed a dawn-to-dusk bandh protesting toll tax collection on the recently-inaugurated Biju Expressway.
Shops, markets and other business establishments remained closed while educational institutions and essential services including ambulance have been exempted from the purview of strike.
Vehicular movement was also affected on several routes as the agitators staged blockades by burning tyres.
The agitators demanded removal of the toll plaza near Pradhanpali on the Sambalpur-Jharsuguda Biju Expressway.
“Collection of toll taxes from vehicles of Sambalpur at the Nuakhurigan should be completely suspended on as the vehicles bearing Bargarh registration number have been exempted from paying taxes at Bargarh toll gate”, convenor of National Highway Users’ Association Satyananda Panda said.
