The All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU), an NDA ally, and tribal outfit Adivasi Jan Parishad have threatened to block NH-33, connecting Odisha and Bengal with Ranchi, if their demand for waiver of toll tax for local residents is not fulfilled.

After the widening and strengthening of the 160km stretch of NH-33 between Ranchi and Mahulia (in Ghatshila) that connects Bengal and Odisha with Jharkhand near Baharagora is completed, the stretch will have four toll plazas at Edalhatu (in Bundu), Chandil (in Seraikela-Kharsawan), Jamshedpur and near Ghatshila.

The toll plaza at Bundu became operational a few days back near Edalhatu, around 40km from Ranchi.

According to National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials, cars, jeeps and light motor vehicles will have to pay Rs 100 as toll fee for one way, while light goods vehicles and mini buses will have to pay Rs 160. Buses and trucks will have to shell out Rs 340, commercial vehicles Rs 370 and heavy construction machinery Rs 535.

“We have started an agitation from Tuesday near the toll plaza and have written to the Union minister of road, transport and highways Nitin Gadkari and chief minister Hemant Soren, demanding the waiver of toll fee for local residents. We also demand that locals be given jobs at the tollbooths. If our demands are not met, we will be forced to intensify our agitation,” said Ajsu Ranchi district joint secretary Raj Kishore Kushwaha.

Around 50 local residents along with a significant number of women have been taking part in the dawn-to-dusk agitation along the toll plaza since Tuesday.

Adivasi Jan Parishad and Panch Pargana Regional Committee on Wednesday wrote to Nitin Gadkari, expressing their resentment at the collection of toll tax from local residents at the Bundu toll plaza.

“We are against a collection of steep toll fees from locals residing within a radius of 20km of the toll plaza,” said Prem Shahi Munda, president of Adivasi Jan Parishad.

NHAI regional officer Shailendra Kumar Mishra said toll fees across the country were fixed by the NHAI. “However, there are provisions for local residents within a 20km radius to pay a nominal amount and get a monthly pass, which will be applicable for the residents of Bundu too. In addition, those commercial vehicles registered locally (in this case in Ranchi district), will be given a 75 per cent waiver. The toll plazas are not operated by the NHAI but have been outsourced to private parties. We have already directed them to accord priority to locals in employment,” Mishra said.