Bus Operators Unite Against Toll Collection Amid Highway Hazards
Growing Protests Over Toll Collection
Munish Sood
MANDI: The dispute surrounding toll fees at Baloh and Takoli plazas has escalated, with private bus operators now joining the protests initiated by unions from the fruit and vegetable marketing yards, backed by Kargil War veteran Brigadier Khushal Thakur.
The protesters are demanding a halt to toll collection until the highway is adequately repaired and safe for travel in all weather conditions. Following the outcry from marketing unions and Brigadier Thakur, private bus operators have added their voices to the call for action.
Leading the protest, bus owners Rakesh Sharma, Rajesh Sharma, and Pankaj Mahajan, along with manager Dinesh Thakur, are insisting on an immediate suspension of toll fees until the highway is restored to a safe condition.
One operator expressed frustration, stating, “We spend lakhs on toll fees annually, yet the road becomes nearly impassable during the monsoon, making it seem like our money is wasted on collection booths instead of road upkeep.” They pointed out that prolonged traffic jams, sometimes lasting hours, leave passengers stranded and result in significant losses for operators in terms of fuel, time, and income.
According to the operators, imposing tolls on a road filled with potholes and landslides is “entirely unreasonable.” They are urging authorities to prioritize repairs during the rainy season and keep toll plazas closed until the road is safe and operational in all weather.
The Kiratpur-Manali National Highway, once regarded as an all-weather route, has become perilous this monsoon. Continuous rainfall has led to landslides, subsiding sections, and hazardous falling rocks, particularly at Jagat Khana in Bilaspur and between Mandi and Takoli in Mandi district.
At Jagat Khana, a newly constructed retaining wall has collapsed, forcing traffic into a single lane as loose boulders pose a threat to vehicles during heavy rains. On the Mandi-Takoli stretch, significant landslides at Pandoh, Kainchi Mod, Dwada, and Jhalogi have repeatedly blocked the route for hours or even days. Temporary clearances provide only short-lived relief before new blockages occur.
Despite these hazardous conditions, toll collection at both plazas continues without interruption. Commuters and transporters view this as a serious threat to public safety, arguing they are paying for infrastructure that is unsafe and often unusable. Bus operators report losses amounting to lakhs due to fuel wastage, delays, and disrupted schedules, while traders and orchardists warn that perishable goods are spoiling in stranded vehicles.
The protests gained traction when Brigadier Thakur publicly challenged the ethics and legality of toll collection under the current circumstances. In a letter to the central government, he called for the suspension of tolls under the Disaster Management Act until the road is fully operational. The letter highlighted how landslides, flash floods, and extended blockades have transformed the highway into a dangerous gamble for travelers.
The crisis extends beyond the road itself. Villages along the Mandi-Takoli corridor are experiencing land subsidence and structural damage to homes, forcing families to evacuate. Residents report that compensation and rehabilitation efforts have yet to be implemented.
Throughout the state, the monsoon has severely disrupted connectivity, with hundreds of roads blocked, water supply systems affected, and power transformers damaged. Mandi and Kullu are among the hardest-hit districts, with tourism and local economies suffering significant losses.
Public pressure on authorities is mounting. Protesters are demanding an immediate suspension of tolls, permanent stabilization of high-risk slopes, a clear policy to halt toll collection during dangerous conditions, and assistance for affected communities.
Until their demands are addressed, they warn that the toll plazas at Baloh and Takoli will symbolize misplaced priorities — where revenue is prioritized over public safety.