Meghalaya CM orders crackdown on illegal toll gates

Shillong, Mar 12 Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang today ordered dismantling of all illegal toll and check gates in the state, less than a week after Congress president Sonia Gandhi expressed concern over the issue.

"The administration has been asked to dismantle all illegal toll gates and check gates by March 15," Lapang told reporters here.

"Gandhi had expressed concern over the issue. There are many extra gates in the Garo hills region where unknown groups set up check gates and disappear at the sight of security personnel," Lapang said.

He said legal gates also collect excess money from trucks and allow trucks to run with loads beyond the permissible limit. "Special officers will be assigned to ensure there is no leakage of revenue and that the gates follow regulations.

Erring personnel manning the legal toll gates will be brought to book," the chief minister said.