Roadblock protesting hike in toll for crossing bridge
Vehicular movement on Chapainawabganj-Sonamasjid highway remained halted for six and a half hours from 6:00am yesterday as transport workers blocked the road protesting hike in toll for crossing Birshreshtha Captain Mohiuddin Jahangir Bridge.
The Roads and Highways Department has increased toll for vehicles crossing the bridge over the Mahananda River with effect from midnight on Tuesday.
Angered by the decision, drivers and helpers of buses, minibuses and trucks blocked the highway, keeping vehicles haphazardly near the toll plaza in the town and Baroghoria point.
Several hundred buses, trucks and other vehicles got stranded on both sides of the bridge, causing immense sufferings to the passengers and hampering smooth supply of goods.
On information, police rushed to the spots but failed to restore communication. Later, the district administration sat with the leaders of bus owners' association and Truck and Motor Workers' Union.
In the meeting, the district officials assured the transport leaders that the authorities concerned would collect toll from vehicles at earlier rate.
Following the assurance, transport workers withdrew the road blockade at around 12:30pm.
Monwarul Islam, president of Chapainawabganj Bus Owners' Association, and Sarwar Hossain, vice-president of District Truck and Motor workers' Union, told this correspondent that they called off the road blockade programme following a fruitful meeting with the district administration.
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