Transport Minister hits back after Suvendu asks Toto drivers not to register

The latest rivalry between TMC and Suvendu Adhikari has erupted over the issue of Toto registration in West Bengal. The state's Transport Minister, Snehasis Chakraborty, said that any Toto not registered by November 30 will be cancelled. Earlier, Suvendu Adhikari had openly urged Toto drivers not to pay for registration until after the upcoming Assembly elections. He had questioned the necessity of paying a registration fee, framing the government's move as an unnecessary financial burden on poor drivers.

The TMC, however, maintains that the registration is crucial for traffic management, addressing severe congestion in various urban areas, and ensuring that the vast numbers of Totos comply with specific traffic laws, which they frequently disregard.

In his sharp rebuke of the Opposition's stance, Minister Chakraborty emphasized that the government is not looking to abruptly cancel licenses or disrupt livelihoods. "We are not cancelling a single Toto's license in Bengal. We do not want any person’s livelihood to stop. The Chief Minister also does not want this," he stated. "But I request all Totos to get their numbers by November 30. We will cancel those that do not," he added.

The Transport Minister further elaborated on the necessity of regulation, stating that while Totos are integral to last-mile connectivity, the sheer "millions of Totos" now operating are overwhelming the road capacity of Bengali towns and cities. He stressed that controlling this unplanned growth is paramount to prevent chronic traffic jams and ensure adherence to traffic laws.