The long-awaited relocation of Gurgaon's Kherki Daula toll plaza has encountered another significant obstacle, with villagers in Pachgaon firmly rejecting the National Highways Authority of India's latest infrastructure proposal. This development marks the latest chapter in a protracted saga that has seen multiple alternative sites face local opposition, leaving the critical project in limbo.
Villagers Stand Firm on Flyover Demand
Following scrutiny of the previously considered Kukrola site, NHAI officials returned to Pachgaon with a revised plan featuring an elevated U-turn facility. This proposal was presented as a solution that would address safety concerns, reduce conflict points on the busy highway, and simultaneously create the necessary space for establishing the relocated toll plaza.
"We met villagers and shared a proposal to construct an elevated U-turn facility to ensure safe cross-road movement and smoother traffic flow," explained a senior NHAI official. "This will also allow us the space required for setting up the toll plaza. However, the villagers did not agree and are demanding a flyover at the junction as per the original plan. The situation remains unresolved and the decision on the site is awaited."
Traffic Concerns and Local Opposition
Residents of Pachgaon presented a compelling case against the current proposal, highlighting that their junction already handles substantial traffic volumes. They argued that only a proper flyover would effectively streamline movement and reduce accident risks at this crucial intersection.
The community's position is clear: they will not accept a toll plaza at their location without prior construction of grade separation infrastructure. Residents emphasized that Pachgaon junction serves as a vital connector for traffic moving between Rohtak, Jamalpur, Tauru, and Nuh, meaning any disruption could significantly impact both local and through movement.
"We have not accepted NHAI's proposal," stated Hoshiyar Singh, president of the Pachgaon Chowk Committee. "Our demand is clear that we need a flyover at the junction as originally planned. We don't have an objection to the toll plaza as such. If NHAI wants, it can even demolish the existing pedestrian underpass and build the toll plaza, but the flyover should be constructed as planned."
History of Relocation Challenges
This renewed deadlock comes months after NHAI's plan to shift the toll plaza to Kukrola was put on hold. In October last year, authorities paused that relocation process due to concerns about the proposed site's proximity to the National Security Guard campus and other sensitive security establishments.
Kukrola itself had been identified as an alternative only after NHAI abandoned its earlier proposal to move the toll to Pachgaon back in August, following strong local opposition at that time. The current location sits approximately 13 kilometers from the existing Kherki Daula plaza.
Mounting Pressure and Limited Options
The urgency for relocation has been building for years, driven primarily by the need to reduce congestion at the current location and address persistent complaints from residents of new sectors and commuters working in Manesar's industrial belt, for whom toll charges remain a contentious issue.
The existing Kherki Daula toll plaza handles heavy daily traffic, including substantial volumes of commercial vehicles. Officials acknowledge that while NHAI wants to finalize a viable relocation site, repeated objections at different potential locations have dramatically narrowed available options.
With local negotiations reaching another impasse, the final decision on the toll plaza relocation will now be elevated to higher levels of the state government. This development underscores the complex balancing act between infrastructure development and community concerns that continues to define this critical Gurgaon transportation project.
