VELLORE: The four-month long agitation launched by private bus and truck operators against the highway toll hike imposed by National Highway Toll Plaza contractor Larsen and Toubro, received a respite on Wednesday when the agitators agreed to go with the hike but with certain conditions.L&T, after taking over the maintenance of the toll plazas at Pallikonda and Vaniyambadi in September last year, had hiked the toll from Rs 4,650 to Rs 6,955 for public stage carrier buses (for 50 trips in a month), Rs 235 to Rs 315 for multiple-entry for buses/trucks for a single day, `65 to `90 for light motor vehicles (for two trips), Rs 150 to Rs 190 for a monthly pass for the same vehicles, and `1000 for school buses per month.This was stiffly opposed by private bus and truck operators, who went on a stir from September by stopping services for some days in protest against the ‘unacceptable’ hike. They then took a circuitous route to avoid the national highway - going via Anaicut, Madhanur to reach Tirupattur from Vellore. The local MP Abdul Rahman and the Anaicut MLA Kalaiarasu intervened and tried to work a way out of the impasse but in vain. As the agitation continued, the protestors formed a separate track adjacent to the toll plaza to bypass the highway, a track they continued to use till Wednesday. In the meanwhile, talks were held between the agitators, L&T managers and elected representatives many times. The issue was taken to the National Highways Authorities in Delhi and was discussed in Parliament as well.At a special meeting held on Wednesday near the toll at Pallikonda, a reconciliation package was arrived at. Representatives gfrom teh bus and truck operators, L&T, and MP Abdul Rahman and MLA Kalaiarasu participated, much to the relief of L&T which had incurred an estimated loss of `3 to 4 crore during the agitation.While bus and truck operators had agreed to the toll hike, they insist that multiple entries in a month must be allowed for buses which was accepted by L&T. Under a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ it has been agreed to pay `315 for multiple entries for buses/trucks in a day, while the school buses will continue to pay `1000 for multiple entries. LMV will pay `90 for multiple trips in a day. Local vehicles from Pallikonda town, trucks carrying sugarcane, press vehicles, vehicles belonging to all political parties, ambulance and mortuary vehicles are exempt from toll, it has been agreed upon. While a section of bus and truck operators pointed out that there should be no further hike in the toll, they wanted the toll-fares to be decreased gradually. While a writ filed by them against the toll hike is also pending before the high court, it looks like the agitation has mellowed down as is evident from the fact that the temporary track formed near the toll plaza was closed immediately after the agreement on Wednesday.
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