The chief minister of Gurgaon, Manohar Lal Khattar, has expressed readiness to hand over 30 acres of land to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to shift the toll plaza from Kherki Daula. This move comes in response to concerns from residents and industrialists regarding traffic congestion caused by the toll plaza. The shifting of the toll plaza has been under discussion for six years, with the state government offering land in Sehrawan in 2017 and now offering land in Pachgaon. The NHAI has reservations about the land offered and has requested additional land.
Chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar has written to Union minister Nitin Gadkari, saying his government was ready to hand over to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) 30 acres in Pachgaon to shift the toll plaza from Kherki Daula.
Khattar — in his letter to the Union minister of road transport and highways — highlighted the concerns of new sector residents and Manesar industrialists that the toll plaza in Kherki Daula led to long snarls during rush hours.
For long, residents have also raised objections on the need for paying a toll while moving within the city.
“The move is expected to resolve the existing traffic bottleneck and contribute to the overall development of the region,” read a statement issued by the government, quoting from the letter.
The shifting of the toll plaza has been in the works for almost six years now. In 2017, the state government had offered NHAI 63 acres in Sehrawan for free. But some villagers moved the National Green Tribunal and secured a stay on the decision. In 2021, the government offered 30 acres in Pachgaon to shift the toll and also constituted a committee of senior officials to decide on the compensation for villagers.
NHAI, however, was reluctant to shift the toll plaza, pointing out that the Dwarka Expressway, when ready, would render the facility redundant. Of the 29km Dwarka Expressway, 18.9km falls within the city’s limits and is likely to open soon.
“The state government recently held a meeting with NHAI officials to push for the toll plaza’s shifting. No consensus could be reached, but the matter is under consideration,” an NHAI official said.
“NHAI has some reservations about the land offered to them. They have said they need more land. So, a proposal for an additional 10 acres is being prepared by HSIIDC. It can be offered, if needed,” a GMDA official said.
New sector residents, meanwhile, said they had little hope that the toll would be shifted anytime soon. “The issue has become a political tool now. We have seen several promises, but none of them has materialised. Why are the new sector residents being treated like this,” said Pradip Rahi, a resident of Vatika G21.
Manoj Tyagi, general secretary of the IMT Manesar industrial association, insisted on the need for shifting the toll plaza to ensure a seamless movement of vehicles. “If they are not doing it, they should at least make it free for the local residents. The agency that has built the highway has already recovered its cost,” he added.
Source : TOI