Kherki Dhaula toll: Burning issue in upcoming assembly elections

GURUGRAM: The tension between the residents residing around the Kherki Dhaula toll and its operator has once again made the issue of Kherki Dahaula toll a burning issue in these assembly elections.

Over 2,600 families have already signed a petition that the lackadaisical approach by the government in the removal of the toll will force them to boycott the elections in protest.

The unease between the residents and the toll operator was highlighted this week when a group of residents collected a sum of Rs three lakh and built the service road so that they do not have to pass the toll for paying the fee. Terming it to be illegal the toll operator broke the road using the JCB.

To register their protest hundred of residents thronged the National Highway-8 next day which resulted in a huge traffic jam for more than two hours. For blocking the traffic the Gurugram police had filed seven FIR'S against the residents for blocking the traffic and creating unrest.the following incident has resulted in further angering the residents.

“The protest was against the rogue attitude of the toll operator and the residents involved in the protest were all working-class people and working in the multinational companies. They had no intention to break the law but now are being harassed by the authorities because of the vested interests,” said Dhruv Sharma one of the protestors.

For lakhs of Gurugrammers who either work in Manesar or reside in new Gurugram travelling through Kherki Dhaula has been nothing sort of misery. Many however admit that since Kherki toll is a major revenue generator there is a delay. What has led to even more flaring of tempers is the decision to implement a steep increase in toll rates.