NONGSTOIN: After the High Court’s order to stop the illegal KHADC tollgate at Athiabari which include ‘Royalty Check Point’ and the ‘Collection of Entry fees of Vehicle’, another toll gate authorised by the Council was constructed and collecting money from coal laden trucks.
After complaints from truckers who ply from Shallang – Riangdo to Athiabari that illegal collection were going on in the area, a group of pressmen from Nongstoin rushed to the spot and found that the tollgate, which was called ‘Toll on goods at Athiabari’ was collecting Rs. 100 from each truck.
Through the order, that it was found that the KHADC authorised the newly built tollgate through order number DCRBF/XXIIT.252/2015/2016/9/122.
“Through the order, it was clear that the tollgate should collect only from truck carrying goods and not minerals like coal and other. However, this tollgate collects from every truck that passes through the tollgate,” R.Hoojon, a truck driver said, adding that “We are already facing an enormous problem such as bad and immobility road and the limited lading capacity order by the Supreme Court, now, the rise of these toll gates from Shallang to Athiabari are affecting our business which will very soon lead us to bankruptcy.’’
The truckers therefore urged the intervention of the Deputy Commissioner and the higher authority to take swift action and to eradicate all illegal toll gates.
