In a massive policy action against the “syndicate raj” of West Bengal, the newly formed state government of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, has directed the closure of illegal toll booths operating across the state.
These alleged illegal toll collection points were set-up mostly on state highways during the predecessor Trinamool Congress (TMC) regime, know to harbour such syndicates.
Immediate Action Ordered
The government has ordered immediate closure of all the toll booths, drop gates and barricaded structures which are not authorised by the respective competent authorities, halting the illegal toll ‘extortion’ from the general public.
These directives were issued to the District Magistrates and police officials by the newly-appointed West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal. His order read, “All toll gates, drop gates, barricaded structures and operational collection points, from which vehicular traffic is operating across the district of West Bengal, which have not been duly approved/authorised by the competent authority of the Government of West Bengal, shall be closed with immediate effect.”
In addition, Chief Secretary Agarwal has directed the District Magistrates to submit a list of all the authorised and unauthorised toll booths currently operational in the state by May 15. His order stated, “A list of the authorised collection points, both legal and illegal, shall be compiled and submitted to the Under Secretary by 12 noon on 15/05/26 positively. This order will come into force with immediate effect and should be complied with in letter and spirit without fail, else fix the responsibility.”
Agarwal was previously the Chief Electoral Officer of the West Bengal legislative assembly elections 2026. The West Bengal polls were conducted successfully in the largest electoral security operation undertaken by the Election Commission of India.
Crackdown On The “syndicate raj”
CM Adhikari’s action directly targets the syndicate raj, that is the extortion network being operated allegedly under TMC’s backing, which has been collecting illegal toll tax from truck and bus drivers, and from passengers without the issuance of the toll receipt.
Despite multiple complaints to the previous administration, no action was taken against the perpetrators.
Other Measures Taken By CM Adhikari
CM Adhikari also announced a slew of measures aimed at reforming the deteriorated law and order situation of West Bengal. The measures are listed as follows:
- Halting illegal cattle smuggling, especially cross-border smuggling to Bangladesh.
- Identification of the miscreants involved in post-poll violence.
- Immediate closure of illegal sand mining and coal mining.
- Identification of fraudulent beneficiaries of the 100-day rural employment scheme.
Adhikari also ordered the transfer of 600 acres of land to the Border Security Force (BSF) for erecting fences along the porous Indo-Bangladesh land border. This move comes amid rampant illegal migration of Bangladeshis into India.
First BJP Government In West Bengal
The BJP formed its government in West Bengal for the first time after it registered a historic mandate in the 2026 elections, where the party won 207 seats, a number way higher than the majority mark of 148 seats.
Suvendu Adhikari is the state’s first BJP Chief Minister, who had defeated the previous CM of 15 years, Mamata Bannerjee (leader of TMC), in her own constituency of Bhabanipur.
