Commuters demand to remove Kherki Daula toll plaza
Less than a fortnight after the agreement between the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), IDFC and Delhi-Gurgaon Super Connectivity Ltd. (DGSCL) to remove the Sirhaul toll plaza, voices demanding the removal of the KM-42 toll plaza at Kherki Dhaula here are growing louder with each passing day.
Since the toll rates have doubled at Kherki Dhaula, the only toll collection point on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway following the removal of the Sirhaul toll plaza, the factory owners in the Manesar’s Industrial Model Township (IMT) are opposing it and terming it as “anti-industry”.
Various citizens groups have also come forward asking for the removal of the toll plaza on account of the hardships faced by commuters and lack of facilities.
Toll tax more than doubles
The toll tax rates have doubled; cars now have to pay Rs.56 instead of Rs.27 — Manmohan Gaind, Manesar Industries’ Welfare Association (MIWA) general-secretary said: “Industrialists have played an important role in the growth of Haryana. But the incumbent government and the NHAI are determined to ruin the growth of industry. Already we are facing a staff crunch. This increase in toll rates will further compel employees to stay away from this part of the city.”
Further speaking on the inconvenience caused, MIWA representatives said the basic principle of collecting toll was to provide hassle-free connectivity, but travelling through this plaza has become a nightmare for commuters as there are long traffic snarls during rush hour and an average waiting time is generally 15-20 minutes.
Demanding that there be a compensation for the loss of fuel and time at the plaza, MIWA representatives said the toll was a big hurdle in the development of IMT Manesar.
The Toll Sangarsh Samiti, which had earlier carried out a campaign against the Sirhaul toll plaza, held a meeting over the weekend to discuss and find some solution for the situation arising out of an increase in toll rates and traffic chaos.
Samiti vice-president, R.S. Rathee said, “It is unethical to charge exorbitant toll rates from Gurgaon residents, who use only a small section of the expressway. Also, the NHAI and the concessionaire only seem interested in making money and are least bothered about the facilities for commuters.”
He further argued, “What about the underpasses, over-bridges, pedestrian and cattle crossings, storm water drainage systems and pedestrian guard rails? All these facilities should be put in place to attain a minimum speed of 85 km/hr and the desirable speed of 120 km/hr for which the highway is made and the toll collected.”
Source: The Hindu
Delhi-Gurgaon Super Connectivity Ltd, DGSCL, IDFC, IMT, industrial model township, Kherki Dhaula, Manesar, Manesar Industries’ Welfare Association, MIWA, National Highways Authority of India, NHAI, Sirhaul toll plaza, Toll Sangarsh Samiti
