Truck drivers pay the traffic police between Tk500 to 1000 as toll at different points on the Shariatpur-Chandpur, Shariatpur-Mawa and Shariatpur-Madaripur Highways.
The police check documents including driving licences, route permits and fitness certificates and if the drivers fail to produce any papers, the amount of extortion increases.
The drivers who operate on the highways have complained that some corrupt traffic police and terrorists collect tolls at different points like Angaria, Monoharbazar, Burirhat under Shariatpur Sadar upazila, Mongol Majhir ferry terminal and Janjira bus stand under Janjira upazila, Naria and Bhedargoj bus stands.
Najim Uddin, a truck driver from Chhaygaon union under Bhedarganj upazila complained that tolls were collected by the police and terrorists.
Truck drivers Rahman Miah, Hashem Molla, Shahjahan Miah and Kutubuddin, who operate on the Shariatpur-Chandpur Highway, said that tolls were collected indiscriminately from cattle carrying trucks, at different points.
Motorbike drivers Israfil, Monir, Pilot and Bipul alleged that some DB police are collecting toll from the drivers because they have no driving licences or other documents.
The owners and the drivers of the vehicles plying on different routes of the district have urged the authorities concerned to take effective steps so that this extortion can be stopped.
When contacted, Superintendent of Police Md Saifullah Al Mamun told this correspondent that steps will be taken against the corrupt police personnel.
