Hooghly, 22 May (H.S.): A toll collection office near the Konnagar railway station underpass was demolished on Friday during a “bulldozer action” carried out in the presence of Uttarpara BJP MLA Dipanjan Chakraborty.
According to local residents, tolls had allegedly been collected for years at the underpass without valid authorisation. After being elected, the MLA reportedly sought documents from the Konnagar Municipality regarding permission for toll collection. He claimed the civic body failed to produce valid papers.
Chakraborty said the underpass toll lease had originally been granted in 2008 but was never renewed thereafter. Despite the lapse, toll collection allegedly continued for years.
Following recent state government instructions to shut down unauthorised toll collection points, the MLA reportedly asked police to stop the operation at the Konnagar underpass. On Friday, the office from where the tolls were collected was demolished using bulldozers.
“This is just the beginning in Uttarpara. No illegal activity will be tolerated — whether it is an illegal party office or an unauthorised building. Action will be taken against all such structures,” Chakraborty said.
The demolition comes amid the state government’s declared “zero tolerance” policy against illegal constructions. In recent weeks, similar demolition drives have been carried out in different parts of the state, including Tiljala, Howrah and Garia.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
