Farmers protesting under the banner of BKU-Dakonda temporarily suspended toll collection at the Ladowal plaza in Punjab on Sunday, demanding expedited compensation for land acquired for the Jammu-Katra highway. The demonstration, which lasted approximately 30 minutes, disrupted traffic and toll operations as protesters blocked lanes with their vehicles.
The Chenab Times has learned that the farmers’ grievances stem from alleged delays and partial or non-payment of compensation for land that has already been acquired for the highway project, parts of which have seen construction completed. Protesters asserted that they had handed over possession of their land in good faith based on official assurances.
Local administration officials, including Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Kuldeep Singh, responded to the protest and engaged in discussions with farmer representatives. Following assurances from the administration, the farmers agreed to temporarily call off their protest. However, they issued a stern warning that indefinite closure of the toll plaza would follow if their demands for timely compensation were not met by the central government.
BKU Dakonda leader Jagrup Singh Hasanpur stated that the farmers had approached the administration approximately 45 days prior to the protest regarding the pending compensation. He highlighted that many farmers had either received only a portion of the due amount or no payment at all over the past two years, despite their agricultural land being taken for the highway. When farmers sought recourse at government offices, they were reportedly informed of delays in fund disbursement from the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
Hasanpur further alleged that some farmers had received government notices demanding the return of compensation amounts already credited to their accounts. This situation has left farmers landless and without the necessary funds to purchase new land or maintain their livelihoods. He expressed frustration that continuous dialogues with administrative officials had not resulted in the release of pending payments.
Additionally, farmers claimed that funds allocated for several village panchayats had also been withheld, impacting development projects in rural areas. The protesters are demanding a written assurance from the government that includes a specific timeline for the release of all outstanding compensation payments.
SDM Kuldeep Singh confirmed that the administration had received a list detailing 54 farmers whose payments were pending. He stated that the names of 20 farmers had already been forwarded to the NHAI, and directives had been issued to expedite the payment process for the remaining farmers. The SDM also noted that compensation amounting to approximately Rs 30 crore had been disbursed since February 20, indicating ongoing efforts to address the issue.
The Chenab Times News Desk