Farmers Protest at Ludhiana Toll Plaza Over Compensation, Dharna Ends After SDM Assurance

May 17, 2026

Punjab’s most expensive toll plaza, Ladowal, was closed today by the farmer organization BKU Dakonda. For about half an hour, the farmers loudly protested against the central government. The farmers demand that their lands on the Katra highway have been acquired, but they have not yet received the payment for their lands.

As soon as news of the farmers’ protest spread, administrative officers and police officials arrived at the scene. The toll plaza was kept closed for about half an hour. The farmers parked their vehicles in the toll plaza queues. Upon learning about the protest, SDM Kuldeep Singh arrived at the spot. He talked to the farmer organization.

SDM Kuldeep Singh assured that he has held discussions with the officers. Soon the money will be deposited into the farmers’ accounts. After the SDM’s assurance, the farmers lifted the protest for now. The organization has announced that if the central government does not pay attention to their demands, the Ladowal toll plaza will be closed again for an indefinite period.

45 days ago, a request was made to the administration to release the payment.

Providing information, Pradhan Jagarup Singh Hasanpur said that about 45 days ago, we had requested the administration that the farmers whose lands come on the Jammu-Kathua Road, those farmers, trusting the administration, have handed over their land.

Roads have also been built there. But those farmers have not received the full payment for their land. Some farmers have received half the amount, some even less. There are many farmers who have not received a single rupee in the last 2 years. When farmers go to the offices, officials say that the money has not yet been sent from NHAI’s side.

If NHAI doesn’t give us our money, we will blockade and shut down the tolls they have assigned on contract. There are also several cases where farmers have been sent letters by the government stating that the money sent should be returned. So far, no farmer has received the full payment. The farmers’ land has been taken away, but they have not been given money to acquire new land.

Our discussions with the administrative officials continue, but the speed at which farmers should receive the money is not happening. The government has withheld money from several panchayats, which has caused development work in the villages to come to a halt. Our demand is that the government give us a written assurance about when the money will be deposited into the farmers’ accounts. Today, the SDM has given an assurance, but if the money is not deposited on time, the struggle will be intensified.

30 crore payments have been received since February 20: SDM Kuldeep Singh

SDM Kuldeep Singh said that the farmers have provided us with a list. In the list, there are 54 farmers whose money has not been received. Names of 20 of these farmers have been sent to the National Highway. The authorities have also been asked about the remaining farmers in the list so that their payments can be sent soon. A total of 30 crore payments have been received since February 20.