By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 14: Raising fresh objections to the continued collection of toll at the Ialong Toll Plaza on National Highway-6, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) member Rikut N Parien has urged the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills to step in and enforce an earlier exemption granted to local vehicles.
In a letter submitted on Wednesday, Parien pointed out that vehicles travelling from Laskein C&RD Block and 8th Mile (Phramer) towards Jowai use barely four to five kilometres of National Highway 6, yet are being compelled to pay the full toll amount at Ialong. He described the practice as unjustified, stating that local commuters are being charged at par with vehicles travelling longer distances to East Jaintia Hills and neighbouring states.
The MDC referred to a meeting convened by the Deputy Commissioner on January 6, 2023, during which it was unanimously decided that vehicles bearing West Jaintia Hills registration numbers (ML-04) would be exempted from paying toll at the Ialong Toll Plaza. Parien expressed concern that despite the clear resolution, the exemption has not been effectively implemented on the ground. He further alleged that toll plaza authorities have deployed agents who intimidate drivers into paying the tax, warning that such coercive practices could potentially trigger a law and order situation in the area.
Calling for immediate action, Parien appealed to the Deputy Commissioner to strictly enforce the January 6, 2023 decision and ensure that local commuters are allowed to travel freely, peacefully, and without harassment.
