Wednesday 13th May, 2026
Anantnag, May 14: Public transport on Tuesday remained off the roads following Chaka Jam called by South Kashmir Transporters Association (SKTA) against levying of toll tax by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) on all types of vehicles plying on Srinagar-Jammu nation highway.
However, the Governor Satya Pal Malik has already announced that matter of exempting locals from the tax was taken up with the centre. Meanwhile, the authorities said people living within 20 kms around the toll plaza will have not to pay any tax.
The toll is being collected by NHAI at the toll Post Kachkoot Fee Plaza in Sangam area of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
All public transport remained off the roads, including on national highway, in south Kashmir though private vehicles could be seen plying though less in number. Due to non availability of public transport people, travelling to different other districts and Srinagar had been badly affected. A trader from Bijbehara said streets wore almost deserted look because of no public transport used by majority of people.
Levying of toll tax evoked sharp reaction from transporters, traders and leaders of almost all mainstream political parties who are demanding withdrawal of the tax.
UNI