Mahapanchayat seeks Kherki Daula toll exemption, warns of protest from May 4

Gurgaon: Residents from 22 villages located within a 20km radius of the Kherki Daula toll plaza on Sunday held a mahapanchayat to demand exemption from being charged user fees on the Delhi-Jaipur highway.
Villagers warned that if their demand is not addressed by April 28, they will launch an indefinite protest at the toll plaza from May 4.
"NHAI rules clearly state that vehicles registered in villages located within 20km of a toll plaza are exempt from paying the toll. Despite this, we are still being charged. This is unjust and must stop," Mahender Singh, president of Pachgaon Chowk Committee, said at the gathering in Fakarpur.
Singh said that the villagers have submitted a memorandum, addressed to Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari, to the tehsildar in Pataudi.
"If the demand is not fulfilled within a week, we will start an indefinite protest from May 4 at the toll plaza," Singh said.
Protesters said they have been demanding exemption from having to pay the toll for years.
One-way user fee to cross the toll plaza is Rs 85.
"Villagers can apply for concession passes as per NHAI rules. The toll plaza is being operated strictly in accordance with NHAI guidelines, and we have not received any direction from the Authority to offer complete exemption," the representative said.
A monthly pass for 40 trips currently costs Rs 950.
An NHAI official said, "Any decision to grant exemption lies with the (Union) ministry. As of now, no specific instruction has been issued to change the existing structure at the toll plaza."