Bulldozer razes illegal toll booth at Hooghly's Konnagar

A toll collection office near the Konnagar railway station underpass was demolished during a bulldozer operation carried out in the presence of Uttarpara BJP MLA Dipanjan Chakraborty. The demolition was conducted after allegations that tolls had been collected from commuters for years without valid authorization. Police personnel were deployed in the area during the operation.

According to local residents, toll collection had allegedly continued for a long period at the underpass near Konnagar railway station. After being elected, Dipanjan Chakraborty reportedly approached the Konnagar Municipality seeking documents related to permission for the toll collection system. The MLA alleged that the municipality failed to provide valid records supporting the continuation of the operation.

The MLA claimed that a lease permitting toll collection at the underpass had originally been granted in 2008, but the approval was never renewed afterward. Despite the expiry of the lease period, toll collection allegedly continued for several years. The state government had earlier directed authorities to shut down all unauthorized toll collection points across the state.

Following the state directive, police were reportedly instructed to stop toll collection activities at the Konnagar underpass. On Friday, bulldozers were used to demolish the office structure located near the underpass from where tolls had allegedly been collected. A large police presence remained at the site throughout the operation to maintain order in the area.

Speaking during the demolition drive, Dipanjan Chakraborty said, “This is just the beginning in Uttarpara. No illegal activity will be tolerated. Whether it is an illegal party office or an illegal building, action will be taken against everyone.” Following the demolition, several residents questioned when action would also be taken against allegedly unauthorized portions of high-rise buildings in the locality. The incident comes amid multiple recent demolition drives conducted in different parts of the state over allegations of illegal construction and unauthorized structures.