Public anger erupts over toll gates

CM orders closure of Koliabhomora toll gate, to petition Centre

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, May 1: As opposition mounted against the installation of toll gates on highways in the State, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today ordered closure of the Koliabhomora toll gate and said he will demand scrapping of all such installations proposed by the Centre on the four-lane highway.

The move came after angry locals burnt down the Roha toll gate and another mob forced workers to stop construction of a toll gate at ziraghat near Sopur on the outskirts of Guwahati.

There has been widespread public anger over setting up such toll gates on highways, some of which are charging exorbitant taxes from vehicles.

Personnel manning the Roha toll gate were charging Rs 90 from each small vehicle, Rs 145 from a mini bus, and Rs 300 to Rs 470 from buses, trucks and other heavy vehicles.

Most commuters have also questioned the logic of yet another toll gate on the gaon-Guwahati highway at Sopur, within a distance of less than 100 kms. More so because, the four-lane highway is yet to be completed.

There is another toll gate at Gangadhar in Dhubri, and the State government is mulling about closing it down too.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the people of Assam are not that well-off economically to pay such taxes on toll gates every time they pass.

“Toll gates should not be there in a State like Assam,” he said.

Official sources said Gogoi will raise the issue with Union Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari when they meet in Guwahati tomorrow. The State government will also submit a memorandum, which will include this issue.