AASU stage protest against construction of toll gate at Bogibeel bridge approach road

DIBRUGARH:

The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) on Monday staged a protest against the construction of a toll gate at Bogibeel bridge south bank approach road in Dibrugarh.

Members of AASU Dibrugarh, Dhemaji, and Lakhimpur units protested for over two hours, disrupting traffic on the busy highway. The members, holding placards and banners, raised slogans against the government to bring attention to the cause.

"Patients coming from Dhemaji and Lakhimpur to Dibrugarh for treatment will face a problem if the toll gate is erected. This is not a four-lane... then why is the government setting up a toll gate here? We want the removal of the same", AASU Dibrugarh unit president Abani Kumar Gogoi said.

The AASU leader alleged that the government has continued to neglect road construction and maintenance, especially of existing roads which are in bad shape, in favour of toll gates.

Voicing similar concerns, another AASU leader said, "The work of the four-lane highway has not been completed, but the government has already started constructing a toll gate in the Bogibeel approach road. This is nothing but injustice to the people of the area, and we will continue our protest till the government withdraws its decision".

It should be noted that the Government of India taxes every national or state highway to compensate for the construction and maintenance costs of the roads. 

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