The Savar municipality authorities and the upazila administration denied knowing the collection of tolls from auto-rickshaws and pickup trucks on the Birulia-Akrine road in Savar illegally by influential ruling party leaders.
The authorities said toll collection on the roads is illegal, and asked this reporter to inform the police to stop such acts.
During a visit to the area on Friday, it is known that at least 700-800 auto rickshaws ply the four-kilometre road, and the drivers are forced to pay Tk10 per day. Four staff are working at two stops to collect the money. After taking the money, they mark the autorickshaw with a marker pen but do not provide any receipts or tokens.
They also collect money from trucks and mini-trucks moving on the road. On February 14, an accident occurred when a moving truck was stopped to collect the toll. Later, the toll collectors faced the wrath of the locals. In a video that went viral on social media, the collectors admit to the extortion.
Besides, this gang is also collecting Tk100-200 per day from mobile food shops operating on the road.
On Friday afternoon, two young men, Sohail and Sakin, who are residents of Imandipur, were seen collecting money from auto-rickshaws on this road.
The duo said they were following the instructions of Md Rubel Mondol, Chhatra League's Savar municipal committee general secretary, and Sohel Raj Rana alias Lengra Sohel.
Several auto-rickshaw drivers reported paying this contribution. But they do not know why they are paying the money but were threatened with consequences if they do not comply. They said the toll collection had been stopped for long, but some people started it again.
The man on top of the toll gang is Abu Nayeem Sultan (Shohag). It was learned that Sultan had secured the lease for a kuli stand at Savar, and then he gave the job of toll collection from the Birulia-Akrain road to Rubel Mondol.
Sultan could not be contacted over the phone despite repeated attempts.
Toll collection prohibited
According to a January 30 order signed by the Dhaka deputy commissioner, collection of tolls on highways other than terminals is illegal. The Savar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and the municipal mayor were instructed to stop it.
Besides, the list of leases given by Savar municipality on January 31 also states that tolls cannot be collected on roads or highways.
In another directive of the mayor on February 8, the municipality clarified that they do not lease out or collect tolls on roads and highways.
What the accused say
Asked, Sohel Raj said: “The tender for the Rajashan road is not in my name, Rubel Mandal has it. Collecting tolls sounds awkward to me. I am not involved in that.”
He also claimed that many people, including the police, were calling him about the issue. “I am confused about it,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
When contacted, Rubel Mondol said: “Sultan Bhai is the lessee. My responsibility is to look after it.”
He claimed that they did not collect any money from the auto-rickshaws. “We only collect tolls of Tk20-50 from engine vehicles like trucks and pick-up vans. Five to seven people are collecting the money.
“Sultan Bhai can say whether tolls cannot be collected from roads. He took the lease from the municipality.”
Officials' statements
Savar Mayor Haji Abdul Ghani asked this reporter to hand over the toll collectors to the police.
“Look at our letter. It is clearly written in the letter that it is forbidden to collect money in any lane, road, or place. If someone is collecting money, hand him over to the police station,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
Savar UNO Mazharul Islam said he did not know about the matter.
“We will take action if we receive a specific complaint. You can report the matter to the police. We will also take steps if patrol police can catch them red-handed.”