More groups join hands to get Kherki toll plaza removed

The movement against Kherki Daula toll is gaining momentum with local and civil society groups, including the residents’ welfare associations, Manesar industries welfare associations and the Gurgaon citizen council joining the Gurgaon Toll Hatao Sangharsh Samiti to stage a protest on May 16.

The groups were instrumental in getting the Sirhaul toll plaza removed in 2014. Earlier, the protest was scheduled to take place on May 15 (Sunday) but members changed the protest date to have a larger impact on a working day.

Members of these bodies met on Saturday and decided that a civil society movement will be organised to press for removal of the toll plaza and to work in tandem with each other for the initiative.

The group contested that Kherki Daula toll plaza is an unnecessary hassle for office employees going to Manesar, villagers and industrialists transporting their produce or supplies.

They also said that the toll plaza should have met a similar fate as the Sirhaul toll plaza and should have been removed in 2014 itself instead of the government agreeing for an out-of-court settlement with the developer.

“Traffic snarls, accidents and arguments because of the toll are an everyday affair. Ideally, they should relocate the toll closer to the Rajasthan border since this stretch has a large Gurgaon-Manesar commuter base similar to Delhi-Gurgaon and car drivers have to pay `120 for a simple round trip,” Attar Singh Sandhu, chairman of Toll Hatao Sangharsh Samiti, said.

“The government is yet to take action despite us notifying them of our concerns repeatedly. Hence, we are joining the protest and will decide the future course of action,” said RS Rathee, president of Gurgaon citizen council.

“A lot of money, time and energy is wasted owing to the long traffic jams at the toll plaza affecting several businesses, their clientele and the supply and distribution of resources. The abolition of the toll will improve efficiency and increase the profit margins and services,” Suman Chawla, secretary of Manesar industries’ welfare association, said.