New Gurugram residents rejoice over HC order to shift of toll plaza

Residents of New Gurugram have a reason to rejoice. The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday paved the way for the acquisition of 50-acre land in Panchgaon for shifting of Kherki Daula toll plaza located on National Highway-48.

While hearing the petition filed by the Haryana Government and Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC), the high court allowed the takeover of 50 acres of Pachgaon village.

According to a senior official, they will soon initiate shifting of Kherki Daula toll from the city limits. According to the plan, out of the 50 acres, a toll plaza will be built on 40 acres while a regional rapid transit system (RRTS) station will be built on the remaining 10 acres. The toll plaza will have 36 lanes.

There has been a long pending demand for the removal of the Kheri Daula toll plaza. 

Initially, there was a proposal to shift the toll plaza to village Saharawan. But in the wake of resistance from environmental activists an entire plan to construct a toll plaza near the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway in Pachgaon area was prepared. When preparations were on to acquire the land, some landowning farmers filed an application in the high court opposing acquisition of land.

In January this year, the United Association of New Gurugram also filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) the same matter.

Residents have welcomed the decision calling it much needed relief from the pollution emanating from the lakhs of motor vehicles lined up for their turn. Those living in sectors 79-113 have been struggling everyday as they have to pay toll every time they step out of their home. Several incidents of public squabbles with the toll operators were reported.

Praveen Malik, vice-president and spokesperson of United Association of New Gurugram said, “We have been demanding the shifting of toll plaza for a very long time as it is effecting the lives of lakhs of people living in the new Gurugram. This is a welcome decision. Now we urge the government to expedite the shifting process.”

Shubhashish Rudra, resident of Sector 81, called it a ray of hope for all those suffering due to the toll plaza. 

“All this while the government seemed handicapped due to litigation in the court. Now, it’s their turn to act, and hope they act fast,” he said.