Entry to DLF SEZ, Star Mall blocked over DLF-NHAI tussle

DLF and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have locked horns over the grant of access to DLF SEZ and Star Mall on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway.

The NHAI on Tuesday afternoon blocked entry to these buildings by digging up the road leading to them. Highway authority officials said “there are around hundred such violators who have gained access violating the NHAI norms” on the expressway.

On Tuesday, around 11.30 am, officials of the Skylark group, the operators of the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway, used an earth mover to dig up the entry to both the mall and the SEZ.

According to officials, the action was taken allegedly because neither the DLF SEZ nor Star Mall has obtained a license from the NHAI allowing direct access to the expressway.

The builder, however, lost no time in levelling the dug-up road and restoring access to the highway. A DLF company spokesman said the company will speak to the NHAI and get the issue resolved at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Rohit Jerath, general manager of Skylark Group, said they have been instructed to take action against all violators who have gained access to the highway without permission.

“If they (DLF) have repaired the road, then we will again take action. The next time, we will take more permanent measures to block the unauthorised access,” he said, adding that more than 100 such violators were on the list.

The SEZ, and management of Star Mall was issued a notice on June 30 regarding the lack of permission for access to the expressway.

According to the norms, any establishment which needs access to the National Highway has to seek permission from the NHAI. The building plan, design of the road and other features must be submitted along with the application to gain access to NH8.

There are more than hundred establishments in Gurgaon which have violated the norms and do not have permission to enter the Delhi-Jaipur Expressway.

Ashok Sharma, Project Director, NHAI, said despite a public notice and letters to the companies, they did not respond or apply for permission as a result of which the action was initiated by the concessionaire.

“These establishments can apply for access but if they don’t take permission, then action will be taken as per the law,” he said.

Devender Chahar, AGM, Skylark Group, who was in charge of the entire drive said, “What can we do if the company does not respond despite notices.”

The action by the NHAI created panic among hundreds of office-goers working with various IT companies in the SEZ and at Star Mall. Santosh Singh, an IT employee of Annik Technologies, said a warning should have been given to the employees that such an action was going to take place.

Manish Chander, an IT consultant, said it was strange that a dispute between two major organisations would go unresolved, resulting in problems to the public.