Construction of modern toll plaza nearing completion

Construction of modern toll plaza nearing completion
Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Lakhanpur, May 28
The problem of waiting for hours in queues while entering or exiting the state will be soon solved, as the construction work on the modern toll plaza at Lakhanpur is nearing completion.

Being the main entry point to Jammu and Kashmir for all commercial and private vehicles, the state government has been working overtime to complete the construction work.

A large number of vehicles enter or leave the state through this toll plaza. But so far there is only one counter each for light traffic vehicles, heavy commercial and passenger vehicles to pay the toll tax, which usually results in traffic chaos for hours.

The officials of the Excise Department are sure that after the modern toll plaza was ready, there would be no more traffic jams. “The construction work is nearly complete. It is in the final stage and will not take more than two-three months. Even the construction of a bridge over the Ravi is going on and as soon as it is complete, the modern plaza will be opened to traffic,” said BA Saraf, Deputy Excise Commissioner, Lakhanpur toll post.

“The state government is constructing a bypass, which will connect the toll plaza to the outskirts of the city. Besides, nine computerised weighing bridges are also being installed. Similarly, a parking lot is also being constructed for trucks,” added Saraf.

Another senior official of the Excise Department said the modern toll plaza was proposed to come up over 264 kanals. “If the department is seriously thinking of opening the modern toll plaza in a few months, our problem will be solved,” said Gurmeet Singh, a truck driver.

Courtesy: The Tribune