Gujarat Highways in Shambles: Family Attacked for Refusing Toll Tax

Ahmedabad | Gujarat — The condition of Gujarat’s highways, including the crucial National Highway 48, has reached such a dismal state that angry commuters are increasingly questioning why they should pay toll tax at all. This growing resentment exploded into violence near Santalpur, where a Tharad-based family was brutally attacked by toll officials after they objected to paying charges on a road riddled with potholes and in near-ruin.

The shocking incident occurred on Bharatmala Road near Bakutra village, when the family of Dilip Sadhu was on their way to Anjar. With the barrier down, they were asked to pay the toll. But when Dilipbhai protested, citing the highway’s poor condition, the officials dismissed his concerns, allegedly saying, “System is broken, just pay and move on.”

According to the complaint registered at Santalpur Police Station, the toll workers attacked Dilipbhai, his father Damodardas, and brother Sagar with sticks after the family tried to record the incident on video. The brutal assault was captured on the CCTV cameras of the toll plaza.

“Instead of answering our genuine question — why should we pay for broken roads — they chose violence. My father was hit on the head, requiring 10 stitches. Women in the family were pushed around. This is lawlessness in broad daylight,” said Dilipbhai in his police statement.

His brother Sagar was also injured on his shoulder, while Damodardas remains under treatment at a private hospital in Tharad after being shifted from Santalpur Government Hospital and Dharpur Civil Hospital.

Public Outrage Over Toll Collection

The incident has reignited the debate over toll collection on Gujarat’s highways, particularly NH-48. For years, commuters have complained of pothole-ridden stretches, unsafe diversions, and lack of basic facilities, yet toll charges continue to rise.

“Toll is meant for maintenance and safe passage. But what we see are roads that are crumbling, endangering lives. People are forced to pay for a service that doesn’t exist. Yesterday it was this family, tomorrow it could be anyone,” said local activist Rajesh Chauhan, who has long campaigned against arbitrary toll collection.

Police Investigation Underway

Based on the FIR filed by the victim, the Santalpur Police have booked five to six people, including toll workers identified as Haresh Ahir, Lala Ahir, Kama Ahir, and Vaja Ahir. An investigation is underway, though locals fear attempts may be made to shield the culprits.

“We are probing the matter seriously. The culprits will be brought to justice,” said a senior police official from Patan district.

Broken Roads, Broken Trust

The attack is being seen as more than an isolated act of violence — it’s a reflection of public frustration boiling over against a system where people are expected to pay, but rarely see the benefits. With Gujarat priding itself on being an industrial hub, the dilapidated state of highways like NH-48 poses not just an inconvenience but a serious threat to safety and commerce.

“This is not just about one family or one road. It’s about accountability. If toll roads cannot ensure basic quality and safety, then what are people paying for?” questioned commuter Bhavesh Patel, at a protest site near the Santalpur toll plaza