The newly formed BJP-led West Bengal government, under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, initiated a crackdown on illegal toll booths and unauthorised drop gates operating across the state on Wednesday. The directive was issued by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal, whose appointment had previously sparked political controversy due to his prior role as the state's chief electoral officer before becoming the top bureaucrat in the new BJP administration.
Immediate Shutdown Ordered
According to the order, all toll gates, drop gates, and barricades functioning without government approval must be shut down immediately. District administrations have been directed to identify illegal toll collection points in their respective areas and take prompt action to remove them. Officials have also been instructed to monitor the emergence of any such unauthorised collection centres in the future. The order stated that all forms of money collection at illegal toll points must stop without delay.
Report Submission Deadline
The state government has further asked district authorities to prepare a comprehensive list of all legal and illegal toll collection centres and submit the report to the under secretary by 12 noon on May 15. This move aims to ensure strict compliance and prevent the re-emergence of illegal toll operations.
Political Context
The development comes days after Bangladesh stated that it could not be “intimidated” by “barbed wire” following the BJP’s historic victory in West Bengal, a state sharing an international border with the neighbouring country. During the high-pitched election campaign against the previous Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah repeatedly raised the issue of “infiltration” in the state, referring to alleged illegal migration from Bangladesh. The crackdown on illegal toll booths is seen as part of the new government's efforts to assert control and address governance issues.
