Govt orders shutdown of all illegal toll points in state

Kolkata: The state govt on Tuesday ordered immediate closure of all unauthorised toll and drop gates across Bengal. The order, issued by chief secretary Manoj Agarwal, is aimed at non-approved operational collection points, including barricaded structures and drop gates, which operate without sanction from the competent authorities. "Any collection of fees, charges or levies at such unauthorised points shall cease forthwith," the order stated. "This order will come into force with immediate effect." According to a govt official, illegal toll collections operated in districts, such as East Midnapore, Birbhum and North and South 24 Parganas. In many cases, local political functionaries are allegedly involved in these unauthorised collections. Agarwal has directed district magistrates to identify illegal toll and drop gates in their areas and ensure their shutdown. The DMs have been instructed to ensure the drop gates are not set up again, without proper govt authorisation. The order stated that DMs must submit a list of all illegal toll points, including details on the collecting authorities and the duration of tenders, along with one of illegal points, to the under secretary by Friday noon.