HUB, Feb 2: A large number of transporters and school children staged a demonstration on Saturday against the raise of toll tax being received at the main RCD Highway here.

Holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the National Highway Authority (NHA) and Frontier Works Organization (FWO), they chanted slogans against the authorities.

They also demanded for cancellation of the toll tax received at the RCD Highway and release of the arrested drivers.

Vehicles plying between Karachi and Hub pass the RCD Highway more than six times a day and during this they had been charged Rs10 per trip, and now after an increase of 50 to 100 percent they were being charged Rs20, the transporters said.

Vehicles bound to Quetta and other areas of Balochistan are also being charged Rs30 per trip.

The school children were of the view that unavailability of vehicles was creating problems for them because most of their teachers came from Karachi. If the teachers could not reach schools, the pupils would be deprived of their studies, they added.

Transporters also blocked the Main RCD Highway by parking their vehicles at road side after the authorities refused to accept their demands.

Vehicles bound to Quetta, Bela, Hub and other parts of Balochistan also stationed at the RCD Highway in protest.

About 3 to 4 kilometres of the RCD Highway was blocked by buses, trucks, coaches and oil tankers.

It was due to the blockade that most of the workers engaged in Lasbela Industrial Estate Development Authority units and Gadani Ship Breaking Yard failed to arrive on their duties.

In the meanwhile, a meeting of All Pakistan Transporters Supreme Council, presided over by Mohammed Yousuf Shahwani, was held and attended by the all members.

The meeting decided to stage a country-wide protest against the decision of the NHA and FWO if their demands were not fulfilled and drivers were not released soon.