JIND: Amid farmers’ protest against the Centre’s three contentious farm laws, all it takes to get through Haryana toll plazas for free is a flag of Bhartiya Kisan Union.
The toll plaza employees have even established a separate line for farmers heading towards Delhi.
In Jind, around 50,000 ‘Dilli chalo’ vehicles have crossed the toll plazas since November 26. On Thursday, vehicles from Punjab could be seen passing Khatkar’s toll plaza at Jind-Patiala national highway every other minute. According to the toll employees, nearly 1,500 vehicles are going towards Delhi every day. And from Haryana’s Data Singh wala border vehicles are seen going towards Delhi with a supply of firewood, milk, winter clothes, edibles items and other necessary items.
Harbans, a village sarpanch who hails from Barnala town of Punjab, going in a jeep carrying edibles and other items, said, “The Union government has become adamant, but farmers have no plan to go back until demands are not met. We cross every toll plaza in Haryana free of cost and barriers are being lifted after seeing the farmer flag on the vehicles. We are doing this for the future of our nation and will fight till the end.”
Vinod Kumar, safety in charge at Jind’s Khatkar toll plaza, said “Vehicles from Punjab are so many that we have established a separate lane to avoid jam at the toll gate. Around 50,000 vehicles have been crossed and we don’t charge them — if vehicles carrying farmer flags are allowed to go free of cost.”