Gammon Bridge Dalal Syndicate Exposed: 2 Arrested for Extorting Overweight Truck’s Drivers

Despite ongoing complaints, evidence of a Dalal (broker) syndicate’s activities was confirmed on Friday night when Katigorah Police arrested two brokers. Due to structural issues, the NHIDCL had imposed restrictions on heavy goods trucks over 35 tonnes crossing the Barak bridge (Gammon bridge) on National Highway 6, connecting Katigorah and Badarpur. This restriction came into effect on October 14 after the assessment was done by experts on October 8, 2024. The precarious conditions of the bridge led to the imposition of weight and height gauges at the bridge.

To enforce the restriction, authorities implemented temporary measures to weigh the trucks at Mohanpur (Madhua) in Katigorah, with the assistance of security personnel from the transport department and NHIDCL officials. Trucks exceeding the weight limit were stopped, while only those under 35 tonnes were allowed to pass. Additionally, police checked weight certificates before trucks could enter the bridge.

However, complaints had surfaced that overloaded trucks were still crossing the bridge under cover of darkness, facilitated by an illicit network. This was confirmed on Friday (November 8) when police arrested two members of the syndicate.

Based on a complaint by a truck driver from West Bengal, it was revealed that the two youths demanded ₹3500 to allow his truck to cross. When the driver refused, they harassed him. The truck’s helper then informed the police, who arrested the two youths, identified as Nasir Uddin from Jalalpur Part I and Tahir Uddin from Gumra’s Paikan village.

The driver Bobil Sheikh from West Bengal said, “When my truck didn’t meet the weight requirements, I didn’t know what to do. Then this guy (one of the brokers) climbed my truck and sat on the driver’s shit by shoving me. He said if I pay him ₹3,500, he will help me cross the bridge even with the weight. I didn’t comply but he forcefully started my truck’s ignition. I switched it off with the key and this altercation went on three times finally, I took the key away from the keyhole. He then started the physically assault me. Even me and my Khalasi (helper) couldn’t stop him then finally he (Khalasi) called the police”.

The incident occurred near the weigh station in Madhua, raising questions about how this could happen despite security presence. Is there a nexus between the Dalals and the Police?