Jat quota stir: Traffic low on Chandigarh-Kalka Highway

According to NHAI officials at Chandimandir Toll Plaza, the vehicular traffic was reduced by half on Sunday and further by 20 per cent on Monday, as compared to commuter rush on the same day last week.

“We record a traffic flow of over 35,000 on a Sunday, which sometimes reaches 40,000 on extended weekends. However, owing to the protest, the traffic on Sunday was recorded around 19,000 leading to a loss of over Rs 5 lakh. There are still apprehensions among people regarding the protest. So, despite an extended weekend, the traffic was less on Monday. Only 13,000 vehicles passed through the toll station by 4pm, unlike around 20,000 on other week days,” said Rajnish Saini, manager, corridor control, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Senior officials of the NHAI and district administration also visited the Chandimandir Toll Plaza to survey the situation. Police personnel remained deployed at various points on the highway, including Old Panchkula and Pinjore bypass, as a precautionary measure.

“Traffic was restored immediately after the protest concluded and it is open for traffic ever since. Though we have been instructed to take adequate precautions, we were prepared to close operations for an hour today following reports of protest at Old Panchkula. The cash was moved to a safer place, but no such disruption eventually took place,”
said Saini.