The status of toll gates and check gates was raised in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) budget session today, with Winston Tony Lyngdoh, the executive member in charge of Trade, Enforcement, Labour and Revenue asserting that all council toll gates are legal and that there have been no complaints regarding illegally operating ones.
However, Rambrai-Jyrngam MDC Lurshai Kharbani claimed that many illegal check gates are operating in his constituency, especially at night, and he urged the KHADC executive committee to look into the matter.
Lyngdoh had informed the house that there are 16 toll gates leased out by the KHADC. The leases of seven of these will expire on March 31, while the rest have already been renewed. However, the executive committee will examine these renewals.
The toll gates are located in various places, like Umsohphie, Mawkhanu-Mawpdang, Borsohra, Lumdiengngan, Athiabari, Umiam, Majai, Patharkhmah, Byrnihat, Umsian, Mawlai, etc. Lyngdoh reported that the revenue generated from the toll gates during the 2024-25 fiscal year was Rs 26.25 lakh.
The toll fees collected are Rs 100 for light vehicles, Rs 300 for moderate vehicles and Rs 500 for heavy motor vehicles. These toll gates also manage the entry and exit of vehicles carrying goods and livestock, as well as the tax on animals and aquatic creatures entering Shillong city.
He assured that all the toll gates are legal and confirmed that there have been no complaints regarding any illegal toll gates.
Lyngdoh also informed that there are four check gates under the KHADC at Mawkynrew, Mawkhanu, Majai-Umiam and Lum Nongrim Ri-Bhoi.
However, when asked by Sohiong MDC Synshar L Thabah about the difference between a toll gate and a check gate, Lygndoh was unable to come up with an answer and asked for notice.
