Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 30: Apni Party’s senior leader and provincial president for Jammu, Manjit Singh, led a protest demonstration against the installation of ‘smart meters and the operation of the Toll Plaza at Sarore in the Samba district along the Jammu-Pathankot Highway.
According to a press release issued here, a procession, comprised of Apni Party leaders and diligent workers, and led by Manjit Singh, started from Ward No. 3 in Bari Brahmana, heading towards the National Highway en route to Pathankot. The protesters raised slogans against the installation of smart meters in Jammu areas and the establishment of a Toll Plaza at Sarore in the Samba district along the Jammu-Pathankot Highway.
During the protest rally, Manjit Singh spoke to reporters and expressed his grave concern. He said that the Sarore Toll Plaza had been established in violation of the rules of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). He pointed out, “The norms laid down by NHAI say that a Toll Plaza cannot be positioned within a stretch shorter than 60 km.”
He added, “Even the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, acknowledged that there should be no Toll Plaza within 60 km of National Highways. Therefore, the presence of the Sarore Toll Plaza on the Highway raises serious questions, particularly given the proximity of the Bann Toll Plaza on NH 44, which is a mere 42 km away. “I would say this Toll Plaza has been established bypassing the rules; this is illegal.”
Manjit Singh also strongly opposed the installation of smart meters in the Jammu region. He explained, “Since the installation of these smart meters, consumers have been receiving excessive bills. People were content with the traditional meters (digital meters). The installation of smart meters should be halted immediately.
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