Agra-Lucknow Expressway: Free Toll After Bonus Row

The Agra-Lucknow Expressway experienced an unexpected period of toll-free travel as workers at the Fatehabad toll plaza staged a protest. Their grievance stemmed from a Diwali bonus of just Rs 1100, deemed insufficient by the 21 affected employees. In response, they unlocked all gates, allowing traffic to flow freely for around two hours. This action prompted intervention from local law enforcement to facilitate discussions between the protesters and the toll management company, Shri Sign & Datar. The management explained that their recent assumption of control in March limited their ability to calculate a more substantial bonus. A compromise was reached when the company committed to a 10% salary increase, leading to the workers returning to their posts and normal toll collection resuming. The dispute underscores the challenges in compensation and worker relations during company takeovers.