Gurgaon: HSIIDC cancels Kherki toll removal meet, industrialists upset

The HSIIDC has not set any fresh date for the meeting to discuss relocation of the Kherki Daula Toll plaza

After Haryana State Infrastructure and Industrial Development Corporation (HSIIDC) cancelled its last meeting, which was to be held on June 16 for discussing Kherki Daula toll removal plan, the industry owners of Manesar are unhappy and accused the Haryana government of ignoring the plight of the commuters.

The Kherki Daula toll plaza continues to be a headache for both commuters and industry owners because of regular gridlocks. (Parveen Kumar/HT FILE)

The Haryana government set up a committee in January to devise a plan to remove the Kherki Daula toll following complaints of perennial traffic jam and extreme hassle in travelling on the National Highway-8 between Gurgaon and Manesar.

The toll continues to be headache for commuters, as it experiences regular traffic jam.

The HSIIDC had planned a meeting of all stake holders such as industry owners, developers, concessionaire of the toll operator, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the consortium of the bankers funding the toll.

“We were hopeful of a decision or a clear road map on removal of the toll. But a day before the meeting was scheduled, we got a message from the HSIIDC about postponement of the meeting without any reason. There was also no word on when the meeting would be scheduled, if at all. It’s unfortunate that such a serious issue continues to be ignored. The toll jam is simply unbearable for commuters these days,” Manmohan Gaind, president of Manesar Industry Welfare Association (MIWA), said.

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Atul Jain, another industry owner, said, “I live in Gurgaon’s Sector 15 and it takes me an hour to reach Manesar. The toll must go for better industrial growth. Every commuter and industry owner is facing this problem. We pay toll for every crossing and yet, face the hassle of traffic jams, which also results in additional fuel consumption and pollution. I want to convey a clear message to the (state) government that toll is of no help here. It is a big obstacle to growth.”

Manoj Pal, deputy general manager HSIIDC, said, “We have not yet fixed the next date of meeting on the Kherki Daula toll (removal). Once the date is fixed, all stake holders will be communicated.”