Peddapalli: Unscrupulous elements backed by politicians have established an unofficial toll gate at Manair River near Odedu village in Mutharam mandal of Peddapalli district. They have been forcibly collecting toll tax from vehicles crossing the river for past two years.
It started with state government leaving construction work of the bridge on Manair River pending since past several years. Certain people of Odedu and Garmilla villages formed a village development committee and constructed a temporary mud road at a cost of ₹ 2 lakh.
Thereafter, they started an unofficial check post without informing the state government and started collecting toll tax from vehicles using the mud road to cross the river. They have been charging ₹ 100 to ₹ 500 depending on size of the vehicle in the name of village development. People who question collection of the illegal tax are not allowed to cross the road until they pay up.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, former deputy sarpanch of Odedu village Inumula Satish said people are helpless and being forced to pay the unofficial toll. During the first year, it is said, the unofficial toll gate collected ₹ 15 lakh and ₹ 22 lakh in the second year. “It is responsibility of government to take up development works in the interest of people. How can a private person build a road and start collecting money from people,” Satish asked.
He demanded that officials of department concerned take immediate action against those who have unofficially established the check post and are looting people.
