A major commotion unfolded at the Bamanbor toll plaza from Ahmedabad to Rajkot when a truck driver was asked to pay ₹1,210 instead of the ₹84 toll. 

Transporters from Rajkot rushed to the toll plaza to protest the incident, prompting the toll operators to flee the scene.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday around 4 pm, resulted in many vehicles crowding the toll plaza area.

After passing Bagodara, the truck driver was asked to pay ₹1,126 in addition to the ₹84 toll. This led to an uproar. The area between Bagodara and Bamanbor where several industrial units fall on the way, is prone to heavy vehicle traffic. Normally, a toll of ₹84 is collected at both Bagodara and Bamanbor.

At the Bamanbor toll plaza, ₹84 was deducted from the truck’s FASTag account for one-way travel. However, the toll operators, under the name of ‘M/s Preeti Builders, Nagpur’, demanded an additional ₹1,000 per truck and even issued receipts in the builder's name.

For vehicles with three to six axles, an additional ₹126 was also collected, apart from the ₹1,000. Usually, for a round trip, ₹126 (₹84 for onward and ₹42 for return) is charged.

However, in this case, vehicles travelling one way were also charged for a return trip. In addition to the ₹126, another ₹1,000 was demanded.

Transporters claimed that the Gujarat government had previously issued instructions exempting passenger vehicles from toll charges on all state highways. However, commercial vehicles continue to pay tolls.

The chaotic situation at the Bamanbor toll plaza drew the attention of officials from the Roads and Buildings Department, who reportedly requested the transporters not to escalate the matter further.

In response to the protests, the toll plaza staff abandoned their posts. The incident highlights concerns over alleged misconduct by toll operators and raises questions about the transparency of toll collections on Gujarat’s highways.

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