Belagavi Toll Plaza Paralyzed by Indefinite Labour Strike Over Wage Delays
Toll collection operations at the Ganebail toll plaza on the Khanapur–Belagavi National Highway have come to a complete standstill for the past two days. This disruption follows the launch of an indefinite strike by the toll collection labourers, who are protesting against alleged delays in receiving their rightful wages. As a direct consequence of this work stoppage, hundreds of vehicles have been passing through the toll plaza without making any payment.
Workers Demand Implementation of Minimum Wage Act
The protesting workers have raised serious allegations regarding wage violations. They claim that local youth employed at the Ganebail toll plaza for the past three years are legally entitled to a minimum daily wage of Rs 634 under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. However, the labourers assert that the previous two companies responsible for toll collection at the facility failed to implement this statutory rule. They further accuse the current contractor of continuing this unjust practice by not disbursing the prescribed wages to the employees.
Escalation of Protests and Official Intervention
In recent days, the toll employees intensified their protest, demanding the full implementation of the legal wage structure. Their agitation reached a critical point five days ago when they staged a sit-in demonstration in front of the project director's office located in Dharwad. This action was aimed at seeking urgent intervention from the concerned authorities. Following this, officials from the labour commissioner's office and the central regional labour commissioner's office engaged with the workers. They provided assurances that the wage rules applicable to the Ganebail toll plaza would be thoroughly verified, with necessary action to be taken accordingly.
Local Support and Management's Alleged Non-Cooperation
On Saturday morning, the protest gained significant local backing. Several community leaders, including Khanapur Congress block leader Suresh Jadhav, along with villagers, visited the toll plaza to express solidarity with the striking workers. They held discussions with the toll management, urging them to comply with labour laws by paying the workers the mandated wages without further delay.
Despite these efforts, the protesters have alleged that the company's directors deliberately avoided participating in meaningful discussions. They also claim that the management ignored specific directions issued by both the National Highways Authority and labour officials. This reported non-cooperation reportedly triggered heightened anger among the workers, leading them to launch a full-scale work-stoppage agitation.
Complete Paralysis of Toll Operations
With the toll staff suspending all duties, toll collection was completely paralyzed starting from Saturday. This situation allowed a continuous stream of vehicles to pass through the plaza without any payment being collected. Congress leader Suresh Jadhav stated that the agitation would persist within the legal framework until justice is delivered to the toll workers. This development has significantly increased pressure on the toll administration and the contractor, with all stakeholders now awaiting further decisive action from the authorities to resolve the ongoing crisis.
