Angered by getting a bonus of Rs 1100 on Diwali, the toll employees created such a ruckus at the Fatehabad toll of Agra-Lucknow Expressway that thousands of vehicles kept passing without paying tax for hours. Employees opened toll gates in protest and the entire expressway became free for a few hours. The company suffered a loss of lakhs of rupees, while the passengers suddenly got the gift of ‘free pass’. The police reached the spot and handled the situation and made a compromise between the officers and employees, only then the toll operation became normal after two hours.
Rs 1100 bonus became a reason for anger
The responsibility of Fatehabad Toll Plaza rests with Shree Sign & Datar Company, which has taken over its operation from March 2025. The company had given a bonus of only Rs 1100 to the employees on Diwali. The employees said that it is insulting to get such a low bonus after working hard for the whole year. He said that when the company took the contract in March, they were still working here, then how could they be given less bonus citing half a year? As soon as the employees came in the morning shift, they stopped work in protest against the bonus and opened the gates. Within a few minutes, the vehicles standing in a long line started passing without stopping. Not a single tax was deposited at the toll booth.
scene of speed from both sides
The scene at that time on the expressway was worth seeing. Due to the suddenly free toll, cars, buses and trucks were moving without stopping. People were surprised but also happy that today they got a chance to go out without stopping. Some people recorded this scene on their mobile phones and posted it on social media. Within no time the video of ‘Fatehabad Toll Free’ went viral. According to local sources, this situation continued for about two hours. During this period, more than ten thousand vehicles passed without paying tax. It is estimated that the company suffered a loss of lakhs of rupees due to this.
Police arrived, but the atmosphere remained calm
As soon as information about the uproar at the toll was received, Fatehabad police station reached the spot. Although the situation was not tense, the dissatisfaction of the employees was clearly visible. The police first pacified the crowd and then started talks with the toll management. The meeting of the employees with the officials lasted for about one and a half hour. Meanwhile, the company management tried to start operations by calling employees from other tolls, but the protesting employees did not allow them to work. He said that until the bonus is not resolved, the toll will not stop.
Company’s logic and employees’ insistence
The company said that they have taken the contract from March 2025, hence it is not practical to give bonus for the entire year. A bonus of Rs 1100 was given symbolically so that the tradition could continue. But the employees said that they are not concerned with the company’s contract, they have been doing the same work for the whole year. Therefore, bonus should also be given for the entire year. Seeing the dispute escalating, senior officials of the company reached the spot and tried to convince the employees. Ultimately, it was decided in the talks that the company would increase the salaries of the employees by 10% and their demands would be seriously considered in the next bonus distribution. After this assurance, the employees agreed and toll operations resumed after two hours.
Public reaction on Diwali gift
This incident made a lot of headlines on social media. Many people called it the best gift of Diwali while some said that it is not the failure of the public but of the system. A passenger wrote, today the true light of Diwali was seen on the expressway. The fun of traveling without toll was something else. On the other hand, some people raised the question why the cost of the employee movement should be paid from the general public’s revenue.
Police made a compromise
Inspector in-charge of Fatehabad police station said that toll employees had stopped working for some time. As soon as we received the information, the police reached the spot. Talks were held between the employees and the toll management and the matter has been resolved. Now the situation is completely normal. Administrative sources said that information about this matter has also been sent to the UP Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA). The department has called for a report from the company so that such a situation does not happen again in future.
—- End —-
