Dhaka, Sept. 6 -- Speaking at a media briefing on Friday, the BNP senior joint secretary general labelled the move as "anti-people".

"We believe the government took the decision to rip off the people. On behalf of the BNP, I call on the government to change such an anti-people decision."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed government agencies to impose tolls on users of national highways to raise funds for road maintenance and repairs, Planning Minister MA Mannan had said on Tuesday.

"Most of the roads in the country are dilapidated and potholed causing road accidents almost on a daily basis. There's a flow of death on the roads, and traffic congestion is a regular phenomenon. All the constraints will increase if toll plazas are set ...