"Before any festival like Eid every year, the traffic constables stop vehicles and collect money in the name of checking licence, fitness or other documents," alleged Rafiq, a CNG autorickshaw driver, near Karwan Bazar.

The traffic policemen mainly target buses and trucks entering the city and collect illegal tolls at a regular basis. The most 'lucrative' spots for the policemen are Gabtoli, Sayedabad, Jatrabari, Ashulia and Tongi bridge.

"Since these are the five busiest entry and exit points of the city, any policeman can become a millionaire within a year or two by collecting tolls from each vehicle passing through these points," said Rafiq.

He said the drivers of each bus or truck have to pay around Tk 100 a day and the rate increases during any special occasion. The minimum rate is Tk 50 for other types of vehicles such as delivery vans, taxicabs and rent-a-car microbuses.

The unethical practice of charging tolls by traffic sergeants and constables is nothing new to the city-dweller. But over the years the trend took an alarming turn due to lack of adequate punitive measures against the corrupt policemen.

The busy intersections of the city like Malibagh, Fulbaria, Khilgaon, Mohakhali, Bijoy Sarani, Mirpur Darussalam, Chankharpul, Hatkhola, Tikatuli and Farmgate are just few of the 138 spots where business is quite good for these cops.

In most places, the policemen engage some street urchins to collect the money. After receiving the tolls, the policemen distribute the amount among themselves.

If a driver or owner refuses to pay the toll, he is subjected to harassment. The policemen often seize their licence and registration documents or file cases against them on false charges, allege the drivers. They are forced to give toll to release the documents.

The authorities have tried to root out such problems time and again. Even last July, the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested seven traffic policemen including three sergeants and sued them under the speedy trial act.

After that incident, such unethical practices had stopped for quite some time. But the trend increased again with the beginning of Ramadan and the authorities are now facing a hard time trying to eradicate the illegal toll collection.

"We take stern action when we receive any allegation against any policeman," said Ansaruddin Khan Pathan, deputy commissioner of Traffic (North), Dhaka Metropolitan Police. "The punishments include stalled promotion, stalled increment in salary and even termination of the accused from the police force," he added.

Pathan said the victim can also file case against such officers. "We have taken exemplary steps against a sergeant arrested at Gabtoli and against a number of constables a few months back. We request the city-dwellers to inform us about such malpractice.

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