Gadpuri toll plaza rates sent for NHAI nod

Palwal, April 16

Amid protests from both the BJP and Congress leaders, the company allotted work for the upkeep of National Highway-19 has submitted the proposed rates for toll plaza near Gadpuri village in Palwal.

Facing resistance

The toll plaza is in violation of the statement of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari regarding the 60 km minimum distance between toll plazas. Tek Chand, BJP Leader

Toll can’t be collected

Toll can’t be collected for the flyover as it has four lanes instead of the six lanes that were mentioned in the norms. Karan Singh Dalal, Congress Leader

“The toll collection is expected to start soon after the authorities concerned give a green signal,” a senior official of the Delhi-Agra Toll Road (DATR), the concessionaire allotted the work of upkeep of the 180-km -long NH 19 stretch between Delhi and Agra, said. He added the formal permission to start the toll plaza is awaited.

The officer informed that a trial run has begun and the toll will be collected as per the provisions of the agreement between the company and the NHAI. He claimed the company allotted the project of the six-laning work of this stretch in 2012 is authorised to collect charges for a lease period of 26 years.

DATR manager Shahnawaz Khan said the toll point has been set up to recover the cost of the 3.25 km-long elevated flyover built at Palwal city and other works completed recently. “The opposition from various political outfits has nothing to do with the company’s work,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, the toll plaza is facing resistance from various quarters. A former MLA and BJP leader Tek Chand Sharma announced his displeasure by claiming that the toll plaza was in violation of the statement of the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari regarding the minimum distance of 60 km between toll plazas.

He said a strategy regarding the stir against the matter will be chalked out soon. Gadpuri is located 30 to 40 kilometers from the toll plazas already existing at either side, he said.

On the other hand, the Congress leader and former Minister, Karan Singh Dalal, described it as an legal issue. He said toll can’t be collected for the flyover, which he said has four lanes instead the six lanes that were mentioned in the norms. He added that a public interest litigation will be filed in the High Court regarding the matter. The Bharatiya Kisan Union has also announced its opposition. Faridabad MP Krishan Pal Gurjar claimed that relief would be provided to the residents living in 20 km radius of the toll plaza by monthly passes.