Ludhiana: The govt’s “occupancy permit” for Rahon Road has expired in the eyes of local farmer union protesters. Claiming administrative failure on everything from street-vend congestion to the lack of a Satluj embankment, the Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union is threatening to “open the gates” and make the Ladowal toll plaza free for all. By burning effigies of top leadership, they have signalled that the “cost of living” in Ludhiana now includes a mandatory demand for basic structural integrity. The Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union (Punjab) and the Dashmesh Kissan Mazdoor Union intensified their agitation on Saturday, transforming the Ladowal toll plaza into a site of political defiance.During the demonstration, protesters burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. While the toll remained operational throughout Saturday, farmer union have warned that they are exploring plans to make the plaza free for all vehicles and potentially block the national highway if their demands remain unmet.Morcha’s DemandsFamer unionist Dilbagh Singh announced the establishment of a Pukka Morcha (permanent front), emphasising that the movement has shifted from a purely agrarian struggle to a “common struggle of ordinary citizens” focused on urban and rural infrastructure. The farmer union’s grievances centre on three primary administrative failures, of Rahon Road repairs, Satluj river safety, and traffic congestion.Protesters allege that despite repeated complaints, the critical artery remains in a state of dangerous disrepair. They demand for the construction of an embankment along the Satluj river at Sasrali village to prevent seasonal flooding. The third point of focus is the unregulated parking of street vends on main roads, which farmer unions claim is causing frequent accidents and gridlock.Police DeploymentIn response to the protest call, local authorities ordered a heavy police deployment at the toll plaza to maintain order. However, farmer leaders maintained that the “welcome” given to the Union home minister via effigy-burning was only the beginning. “The agitation could intensify further if concrete action was not taken on these demands,” a spokesperson for the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha stated.
