The Madhya Pradesh government shut down 47 transport checkposts on 1 July, 2024, claiming the move would curb corruption. However, a month-long investigation by Dainik Bhaskar has found the claim to be misleading. In place of the closed posts, collections are now being carried out in a more organised manner at 45 ‘checkpoints’. To probe the network, Bhaskar conducted a sting operation. Reporters, posing as owners of a dummy transport firm, visited four key checkpoints along the Rajasthan and Maharashtra borders and interacted with RTO officials. The investigation revealed that in some locations, officials themselves negotiate deals, while in others, the arrangements are handled through intermediaries. Officials allegedly fixed a monthly ‘bandi’ (informal arrangement) ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹60,000 for 15 vehicles. In return, they assured smooth passage within their jurisdiction and even offered to facilitate operations in other districts. According to the Transport Association, more than ₹1,700 crore is collected annually through such checkpoints in Madhya Pradesh, an amount exceeding the yearly budget of 27 state government departments. How is this collection system working? Find out in the report Why did Bhaskar investigate? A viral video from the Khilchipur checkpoint in Rajgarh became the reason for an investigation. In this, a matter of collecting ₹700 from a truck driver came to light, while the collection was shown to be continuing despite the checkpost being closed. After this, Bhaskar started an investigation to know the ground reality. How the Bhaskar team investigated Madam’s staff makes the deal Bhaskar reporter, contacted the transport officer stationed at Khilchipur check point in Rajgarh district on 14 March, 2026, via WhatsApp. Sent a visiting card of a dummy firm and expressed a desire to meet. Madam called the Khilchipur checkpoint on 15 March. The reporter said he was in Rajasthan. When messaged again on 17 March, she said that my staff will talk. On the same day, Neeraj Singh, posted in the RTO staff, called. He asked about the work and asked to meet after 20 March. On 26 March, the reporter reached Khilchipur checkpost. There was a conversation with RP Singh and Constable Amit Singh. The reporter gave a list of 15 vehicles and asked for cooperation. RP Singh: You tell me what support do you need from us? Reporter: We are Marwari people; our business should not be affected. We will do as you say. Amit Singh: From the checkpoint, it’s ₹700 for a normal vehicle, ₹900 for a big vehicle, and we take ₹4,500 from the monthly fixed ones. You give 60 thousand at the rate of 4 thousand. Reporter: You do it for 40 thousand. Amit Singh: There will be a Multai checkpoint in between. What will you do about that? Made a deal for Multai checkpoint for ₹45k RP Singh interrupted Constable Amit Singh and said that I will set Multai, you fix ₹50 thousand per month for them. The constable said that I will have to ask Madam. The constable went to meet Madam. Meanwhile, RP Singh talked to the reporter and gave instructions. Singh said- Meanwhile, the constable returned after talking to Madam and said that Madam refused ₹50 thousand, will only take ₹60 thousand. RP Singh said that finalise it at ₹60 thousand. Madam is new. If we talk too much, it will seem like personal interest. Deal of ₹20 thousand for 10 vehicles Bhaskar Reporter, contacted RTO officer Pahalwan Singh Bhilala, who was in charge of Nayagaon checkpoint on 18 March, 2026, on his number (9753xxxx70). The reporter said that his vehicles go to Maharashtra through this checkpoint, and he needs support. Bhilala called him to the checkpoint. On 23 March, the reporter and PS Bhilala met. The reporter gave a list of 10 truck numbers and mentioned that one truck passes three times. Bhilala called employee Ajay Singh Parihar and said that Representatives of Samarathal Transport are here, they have 10 vehicles. They should not face any difficulty. I am sending the numbers and the list. After this, ₹ 20K per month was fixed for 10 vehicles. Reporter: 20 thousand will be too much, make it 15 thousand. Bhilala: These are vehicles, sir… You just run them. There will be no problem. The people above are all sitting wearing the cloak of honesty, but the reality is something else. Reporter: Do you have a contact at Sendhwa barrier? Bhilala: There is a boy named Manoj there, he will do your work. Deal offer from Ujjain to Sendhwa After this, Bhilala called Manoj and told him that people from Samarathal Roadlines had come. They have 10 vehicles running. They came to the Nayagaon checkpoint. I have fixed it. You see, according to your terms. Bhilala gave Manoj’s number to the reporter and said that the entire area from Neemuch to Sendhwa is ours only. Along with this, he also offered to arrange a deal in Ujjain. Annual collection of ₹1,700 crores from checkpoints Checkpoints started from 1 July, 2024. In one year and 9 months, more than ₹3 thousand crores have been collected from here. According to the Transport Association, 70 thousand trucks pass through MP daily. ₹700 is collected from one truck at checkpoints. This generates earnings of more than ₹4 crores in one day. This figure becomes ₹147 crores per month. Thus, ₹1,764 crores are collected from checkpoints in one year. This is more than the annual budget of 27 departments of the MP government. The Transport Department’s budget is ₹230 crores, while the collection from checkpoints of this same department is seven times more. Transport Association wrote a letter to CM Indore Truck Operators and Transport Association has written a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav complaining about the ‘foolproof’ collection system. According to the association, even after the check posts were closed, officials are sitting in government vehicles and collecting illegal money on the roads. CL Mukati, Chairman of All India Motor Transport Congress, says that transport checking points have deviated from their purpose. Videos of arguments and entries between vehicle drivers and checking point employees go viral on social media everyday. Officers say that will take action if evidence is found Bhaskar spoke to Deputy Director of Transport Department Kiran Sharma regarding this matter. He informed that body worn cameras have been given to the staff for transparency. POS (Point of Sale) machines have also been provided due to complaints about cash collection. On the question of ₹700 entry fee, he said that when such complaints come, we take immediate action. So far, action has been taken against 13-14 people, from constables to TI. Some have been suspended and some have been attached to headquarters. Action will be taken on complaints in future as well. Understand the difference between a checkpost and a checkpoint Post navigation 9-year old boy dies after bee attack:Child left untreated for 30 minutes; notice issued to school, probe ordered Minors drugged and raped by Baba in Ashram:77-year-old retired professor would exploit girls; daughter acted as his accomplice
