Kolkata, 13 May (H.S.) : The West Bengal government has taken a major decision regarding the state’s transport and road management system by directing immediate closure of all illegal toll plazas and toll gates operating across the state.

The order was issued on Tuesday night from the office of newly appointed Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal and has been sent to all District Magistrates across West Bengal.

According to the directive, all illegal toll gates, drop gates, barricades and unauthorised collection points functioning in different districts must be removed at the earliest. District administrations have also been instructed to ensure that no such illegal collection points are re-established in the future.

The state government further directed District Magistrates to strictly monitor that no money is collected from passengers or vehicle owners at any unauthorised toll gate.

Apart from action against illegal toll collection points, the government has also sought detailed information on all authorised toll plazas operating in the state. District authorities have been asked to provide data regarding the total number of legal toll gates, the agencies operating them and the duration of their respective tenders.

The directive also seeks details about the number of authorised collection points functioning across the state.

All District Magistrates have been instructed to submit a comprehensive report to the Chief Secretary’s office by 12 noon on Friday, May 15.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh