Protest Over Diwali Bonus: Agra-Lucknow Expressway Toll Workers Allow Free Passage for 10 Hours

Toll workers on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway made a striking move on Saturday night, allowing vehicles to pass without paying tolls for nearly ten hours. The protest was sparked by dissatisfaction over a reduced Diwali bonus, leaving commuters surprised and traffic flowing freely overnight.

Bonus Dispute Triggers Toll-Free Protest

Sources revealed that tensions had been simmering between the toll-operating company, Shri Sai and Datar Company, and its employees regarding the festive bonus. The company offered a bonus of ₹1,100, which workers rejected, claiming it was significantly lower than last year and did not match their efforts. "The amount is far less than what we received last year, and it does not reflect our hard work," the employees reportedly said.

Last year, a different contractor had awarded a ₹5,000 bonus to workers. This drastic reduction this year fueled widespread frustration, prompting employees to stop collecting tolls from midnight onwards.

Negotiations and Temporary Resolution

Upon learning of the protest, both police officials and company representatives rushed to the toll plaza in an attempt to resolve the situation. Krishna Jurail, the company's project manager, stated, "Discussions with workers are underway, and efforts are being made to restore normal operations."

After ten hours of toll-free passage, an agreement was reached that included a 10% hike in salaries, allowing the company to resume toll collection. However, the resolution came only after prolonged negotiations and clear expressions of discontent from the employees.

Workers Stand Firm on Demands

Despite the partial settlement, toll workers remained firm in their stance. As of 9 am on Sunday, toll collection had yet to resume fully, with employees insisting that their strike would continue until all their demands were satisfactorily met. The protest has highlighted ongoing concerns about fair compensation and the growing tensions between companies and their contractual workforce.