“Rangla Punjab”—this is not just a slogan, but a portrait of Punjab’s golden future, where every citizen has a smile on their face and no obstacles in their path. Taking this pledge to the ground, the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has taken such a historic decision that has touched millions of hearts. By permanently closing 18 toll plazas across the state so far, the Mann government has not only provided direct economic relief to the public but has also sent a message that this government is dedicated not to capitalists, but to the welfare of the common man. With the removal of these toll plazas, a new journey of development, savings, and self-respect has begun on Punjab’s roads, which is making the dream of ‘Rangla Punjab’ come true. This decision is not just about closing 18 gates, but about delivering approximately ₹61.67 lakh in daily savings directly to every household in Punjab, which is no less than a lifesaver during times of rising inflation.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Harjbajan Singh ETO said, “Removing toll plazas is a significant step toward providing economic relief to the people. This will make traffic on roads smooth and hassle-free.” He mentioned that since coming to power, the state government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has abolished tolls on approximately 535.45 kilometers of state highways. The Lachhowal toll plaza on Tanda-Hoshiarpur Road saves ₹1.94 lakh daily, Majri (SBS Nagar), Nangal Shahidan, and Mangarh (Hoshiarpur) on Balachaur-Garhshankar-Hoshiarpur Dasuya Road save ₹10.52 lakh daily, the high-level Makkhu bridge in Makkhu saves ₹0.60 lakh daily, Kiratpur Sahib-Nangal-Una Road toll plaza saves ₹10.12 lakh daily, Samana-Patiaran Road in Patiala saves ₹3.75 lakh daily, Moga-Kotkapura Road saves ₹4.50 lakh daily, Fazilka-Firozpur Highway saves ₹6.34 lakh daily, toll from Rakba (near Mulllanpur) to Mehal Kalan (near Barnala) on Dakha-Barnala State Highway (SH-13) saves ₹4.5 lakh daily, 2 tolls on Bhawanigarh-Nabha-Gobindgarh Road save ₹3.50 lakh daily, Patiala-Nabha-Malerkotla saves ₹2.90 lakh daily, and the closure of Ladda and Ahmadgarh toll plazas on Ludhiana-Malerkotla-Sangrur Road has resulted in daily savings of ₹13 lakh.
The Bhagwant Mann government has not just closed 18 toll plazas but has also permanently removed the burden of ‘injustice’ weighing on the public’s pockets. This decision was not just on paper; it reached straight to people’s hearts. When the toll plaza lights went out for the first time forever, people felt as if a years-old debt had been cleared. Mann sahib said that these toll plazas had actually become “shops openly looting the common public,” which previous governments had allowed to run with their eyes closed. This decision was an answer to those old negligences, a solution to those ignored complaints that had been suppressed for years. This is not just an administrative decision; it is an emotional relationship that the government has built with the public. It shows that your government understands your smallest sorrows. The Mann government announces that Punjab now has a government of ‘service,’ not ‘loot,’ and this change is giving people the most comfort. Today, when any Punjabi passes through these toll-free routes, they realize that yes, “this government is ours.” This decision has proven that in the Mann government’s priorities, people’s rights come first, not the profits of corporate companies.
While closing these toll plazas, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had said that he has ended the era of “renting out roads.” His government’s clear stance is that the open looting of common people will not be tolerated. This is not just a road policy; it is a politics of ‘public interest,’ where the reins of governance are felt to be in the hands of the people. Toll plazas, which had sometimes become dens of alleged ‘looting’ by previous governments, are now history. This step by the Mann government is not just economic reform but a change in the character of governance. The lock on 18 toll plazas is a symbol of the common man of Punjab’s faith that their elected government now stands as their shield. This is the dream of “Rangla Punjab,” where roads not only take you to your destination but also lead the poor to prosperity and dignity. This historic step is a bright milestone on Punjab’s development path. This is not just the closure of 18 toll plazas; it is the beginning of a journey moving rapidly toward a ‘prosperous Punjab,’ where there is no ‘toll’ on the path, just ‘trust’ and ’relief.’
