Jammu Tawi, March 6 -- In a blatant disregard for judicial authority, toll plazas at Bann and Lakhanpur in Jammu region continue to levy exorbitant toll fees on commuters, defying a recent High Court mandate to reduce toll charges by 80% due to the deplorable condition of National Highway-44 (NH-44).
On 25th February, 2025, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), directed the Ministry of Transport, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and related authorities to slash toll fees at Lakhanpur and Bann toll plazas to 20% of the rates prevalent before January 26, 2024. This order was to remain effective until NH-44, particularly the stretch from Lakhanpur to Udhampur, is fully ...