A welcome surprise for drivers, no more queues, just a cruise

Jawad (Madhya Pradesh): On the instructions of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, all transport check posts and RTO barriers across the state have been abolished from July 1, including the Nayagaon barrier on the MP-Rajasthan border in the Neemuch district.

The move, aimed at combating corruption and facilitating commercial traffic, has been welcomed by anti-corruption advocates and transport operators.

On the morning of July 1, the Nayagaon barrier was empty. Neemuch district collector Dinesh Chandra Jain and SP Ankit Jaiswal conducted a surprise inspection to ensure compliance with the rules. A revenue officer and a policeman were also deployed to ensure smooth movement of vehicles.

For years, truckers have been complaining of extortion at these checkpoints, with entry fees ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 per truck. Despite widespread complaints, previous governments, including those led by Congress’ Digvijay Singh and BJP’s Shivraj Singh Chouhan, have failed to address the issue. The extortion has led to long waits and financial losses for truckers. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s decisive action has been widely welcomed.

Nayagaon Barrier: A Centre of Political Patronage and Corruption

The Nayagaon barrier, located on the Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh border, has long been a silent witness to political maneuvering and corruption. During Congress rule, the barrier played an important role in the political rise of many young workers of the district Congress and later the BJP, transforming them from workers to leaders. This strategic advantage has led to the lack of strong opposition from Congress against the corruption endemic to this barrier.

Complicity is not limited to political parties. Many journalists, police and administrative officials remain silent about the illegal collection of money due to a fixed percentage, often called “envelopes”.

In 2015, Nandkumaram, the then collector of Neemuch, boldly termed illegal collections at the barrier as “organized crime” and ordered registration of a case. However, it took 22 days for the case to be registered, and soon after, Nandkumaram was abruptly transferred to Vallabh Bhawan, citing suspicions over the influence of vested interests.

Indore-Icchapur highway check post closed

Burhanpur City: The closure of the RTO check post at the Bhota barrier on the Indore-Ichhapur highway, adjacent to the Maharashtra border, has brought unexpected calm to the region. Monday at 1 p.m., the site, once bustling with long lines of vehicles and the hubbub of motorists paying their taxes, was strangely silent.

Many truck drivers, unaware of the closure, arrived ready to pay the usual tax of Rs 700-900, only to find the booth deserted. Mukesh, a driver en route from Pune to Bhopal, said happily: “We didn’t know that from today we would not have to pay tax. We got to know about it when we reached here. We are very happy. The government has taken a very good decision.”

Transport sub-inspector Pankaj Jain confirmed the closure from midnight on June 30, and further measures await the transport minister’s next orders. Home Guard district commander Meenakshi Chauhan said 10 soldiers will be deployed to maintain law and order at Bhota and Dedtalai check posts, ensuring smooth operations.

However, the impact of the closure has been felt by more than 1,500 people, including local vendors who depended on the bustling checkpoint for their livelihood. The once thriving area is now silent, with residents expressing concerns over sudden unemployment.

The government’s decision, although welcomed by drivers, leaves a significant social footprint, marking a new chapter in the transport administration of Madhya Pradesh.

Sendhwa checkpoint: considerable time and cost savings

Sendhwa: Drivers expressed relief and satisfaction at the closure of the Balasamud checkpoint on the AB road, citing the considerable time and financial savings previously spent at the checkpoint.

Dilip, a driver traveling from Dhuliya to Indore, welcomed the decision, saying it had removed the hassle of traffic jams and allegations of extortion while traveling.

Reena Kirade, Barwani RTO, confirmed that although the checkpoint is closed, plans are underway to establish new checkpoints and mobile units to effectively ensure compliance with transport regulations.

Published on: Monday, July 1, 2024, 10:36 p.m. IST