A newly introduced toll on a 500-metre stretch of road leading to Shimulia Ghat in Munshiganj has triggered growing unrest, with tourists, local residents and business owners alleging harassment, arbitrary fee collection and repeated clashes involving toll collectors.
The additional toll, introduced by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) from 1 July, is being collected alongside the existing parking yard fee, effectively requiring vehicles to pay twice before reaching the popular tourist destination on the banks of the Padma River.
According to local residents and visitors, toll collectors identifying themselves as BIWTA leaseholders have set up a collection point near Chairman Bari, opposite Shimulia Government Primary School, about 500 metres from the existing parking facility.
They allege that toll collectors, some carrying sticks and whistles, often demand payments exceeding the approved rates, leading to frequent arguments and, at times, violent confrontations.
Several clashes have reportedly occurred in recent weeks. In the latest incident on Thursday night, four tourists were injured after allegedly being attacked by toll collectors when they protested what they described as excessive toll demands.
Police later intervened after receiving an emergency call through the national 999 service, according to local sources.
Adilur Rahman, a tourist from Dhaka, questioned the justification for charging a separate toll for such a short stretch of road. “Charging another toll for only half a kilometre is completely unreasonable,” he said. “It is discouraging people from visiting Shimulia Ghat and amounts to harassment in the name of toll collection.”
Business owners in the area also expressed concern over the impact on tourism.
A hotel owner, requesting anonymity, said visitor numbers had declined since the second toll was introduced. “Arguments and fights have become common. Many tourists are turning back after learning they have to pay twice. Our businesses are suffering,” he said.
He also alleged that the additional toll collection had been introduced with the support of local BIWTA officials and claimed that small traders, including restaurant owners, hawkers and vendors, were also facing additional financial demands. The allegations could not be independently verified.
The controversy has prompted local residents and business owners to demand the withdrawal of the Shimulia Ghat port officer and the cancellation of the new toll system.
Many residents argued that collecting two separate tolls within such a short distance was unjustified and was damaging the image of Shimulia Ghat as a tourist destination.
Responding to the allegations, Shimulia Ghat Port Officer Niaz Mohammad Khan denied any wrongdoing.
He said he was unaware of the specific allegations and claimed he had no information regarding the toll rates being collected.
Lohajang Police Station Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Borhan Ul Islam said police responded whenever emergency calls were received and remained alert to ensure the safety of tourists visiting the area.
Lohajang Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Farzana Bobby Mitu confirmed that BIWTA had introduced the new road toll this year but acknowledged that it had generated strong public criticism. “The two toll collection points located very close to each other are creating confusion among road users,” she said.
The UNO said the local administration had already raised the matter with higher authorities and was working to have the additional toll withdrawn so that only the original parking yard toll remains in place.
She added that local MP Abdus Salam Azad and the district administration were also engaged in efforts to resolve the issue.
The lawmaker alleged that the decision to introduce the second toll had been taken by “dishonest officials” within BIWTA and questioned the rationale behind imposing two tolls within a distance of only 500 metres.
“This is not a highway but merely a feeder road,” he said, adding that efforts were underway to abolish the additional toll.
Concern over the issue is not new. On 2 July, shortly after the second toll was introduced, the Lohajang upazila administration held an emergency meeting amid fears of deteriorating law and order. However, local residents claim no visible action has yet been taken to resolve the dispute.
Residents and tourism stakeholders have urged the authorities to investigate the allegations, scrap the additional toll and restore order at Shimulia Ghat before the ongoing tensions further affect tourism and local businesses.
