Siliguri, May 15 -- The Fulbari-Ghoshpukur bypass toll plaza, which had been shut down by BJP workers immediately after the announcement of the West Bengal Assembly election results, resumed operations on Friday following a directive issued by the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority (SJDA).
The toll plaza was closed on May 4 after BJP supporters alleged that toll collection at the site was being carried out illegally and without valid documentation. Party workers had reportedly placed BJP flags at the toll plaza and halted collections, claiming the operation was unauthorized.
According to sources, the toll plaza has existed since the Left Front government era. Following the change in government in 2011, the responsibility for managing the toll plaza was transferred to the SJDA. BJP leaders alleged that toll fees had been collected forcefully for years without proper legal backing.
However, SJDA later issued an official notification clarifying that the toll plaza is legally authorised and directed that operations be restored immediately. SJDA's CEO also wrote to Siliguri Police Commissionerate, requesting deployment of personnel to ensure smooth functioning of the toll collection process.
Government officials stated that the prolonged closure of the toll plaza had resulted in significant revenue losses.
Meanwhile, the Siliguri Police Commissionerate has announced stricter measures against alleged land mafias operating in the region. Addressing a press conference on Friday, Kazi Shamsuddin Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) urged residents to report any incidents related to land fraud or illegal land activities directly to the police.
"People should immediately inform the nearest police station if they come across any land mafia activities or illegal dealings related to land.
Police will take appropriate action. The Land Department and police will work together on such matters," he said.
Meanwhile, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista recently warned that no illegal constructions would be tolerated in Siliguri.
He said, "Dozens of bulldozers have been brought to the city from Uttar Pradesh to demolish illegal constructions. I warn those who have built illegal houses, buildings, or malls to demolish them themselves, as when JCBs carry out the demolition, further damage may occur."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.