“Why Pay Toll When There’s No Road?”: Congress Protests at Khed Shivapur Toll Plaza
"Why Pay Toll When There's No Road?": Congress Protests at Khed Shivapur Toll Plaza
A massive protest was staged by Congress at the Khed Shivapur Toll Plaza, demanding the cessation of toll collection due to the poor condition of the Pune-Satara Highway.
From 10 a.m. on Saturday, a large contingent of Congress workers gathered at the Khed Shivapur Toll Plaza to protest against the collection of tolls despite the highway’s disrepair. Led by Bhor MLA Sangram Thopte and Purandar MLA Sanjay Jagtap, the protestors declared that the toll plaza would remain blocked until a written guarantee for road repairs was obtained.
Maharashtra Congress Statewide Protest – On Aug 3, 2024, the Maharashtra Congress Committee staged protests across the Pune-Kolhapur belt, highlighting the poor state of highways. Key locations included Khed Shivapur, Anewadi, Tasawade, and Kini Toll Plazas.
— Pune Pulse (@pulse_pune) August 3, 2024
Raju Awale emphasized… pic.twitter.com/3K9d0BFTfH
The protestors, chanting slogans like “The highway must be repaired” and “Stop the Khed Shivapur toll collection,” allowed all vehicles to pass through the toll plaza for free. They vowed to continue their protest until the toll collection was halted permanently.
The Pune-Satara Highway has been in a deplorable state, prompting Congress to stage protests at various toll plazas from Shindewadi to Kolhapur. Prominent Congress leaders, including Devdas Bhansali, Shailesh Sonawane, Lahoonana Shelar, Mauli Pangare, Rohan Bathe, Shivraj Shendkar, Pradeep Poman, Vishal Konde, and Suraj Gadade, along with many party workers from Bhor, Velha, Mulshi, and Purandar, participated in the protest.
MLA Sangram Thopte, expressing his frustration, questioned, “Why collect tolls when the road is in such poor condition?” He emphasized that no protestor would leave until a written assurance for road repairs was provided. MLA Sanjay Jagtap also reiterated that the toll plaza must be shut down and pledged to stand by the local populace.
Throughout the protest, numerous participants voiced their anger over the highway’s condition and insisted that toll collection must cease until the road is fully repaired. The demonstration, which began at 10 a.m., was still ongoing at 2 p.m. To maintain law and order, Rajgad police deployed a significant police force at the scene.
