The days of free rides on the much-talked-about Dwarka Expressway are over. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started toll collection at the newly opened Bijwasan Plaza, officially bringing the 30-km Delhi–Gurugram stretch under its toll network.
Now, all vehicles crossing the Delhi–Haryana border through the expressway will have to pay a user fee. This ends months of free travel since the road opened earlier this year. The Bijwasan toll plaza will be linked directly to the Kherki Daula toll, where rates have also gone up despite repeated promises from the state government to remove it.
At Kherki Daula, light motor vehicles will now pay Rs 95 for a one-way trip and Rs 145 for a same-day return. Earlier, drivers paid Rs 80 with no return-trip option. For commuters travelling from Delhi to Gurugram via the Dwarka Expressway, the total toll will come to Rs 220 one way and Rs 330 for a return trip, unless they have a local monthly or annual FASTag pass.
After facing public criticism, NHAI announced a monthly pass of Rs 340 for people living within 20 km of the expressway.
“To make the process easier, several registration camps have been set up near the Bijwasan toll plaza where residents can obtain their local or annual passes. This will ensure convenience for nearby residents and daily commuters,” said an NHAI official.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways also clarified how tolls will be applied. Vehicles crossing the Bijwasan Plaza first will pay there and won’t be charged again at Kherki Daula for the same journey. But those who pass Kherki Daula first will have to pay a small extra amount at Bijwasan.
The NHAI also warned that overloaded vehicles will face heavy penalties, up to 10 times the normal toll, if caught crossing the weight limit.
However, the new toll collection has sparked anger among local residents and commuters who say it defeats the expressway’s purpose.
“There are many concerns. The Dwarka Expressway was meant to connect Gurugram with Delhi and ease traffic on NH-8. Levelling charges defeats that purpose as people will now look for alternative routes,” said Sunil Sareen from the Dwarka Expressway Gurugram Development Association.
He added, “They have announced a monthly pass, but many residents have vehicles registered outside Gurugram. Their RC and Aadhaar addresses don’t match, so how will they qualify for a local pass? Cab fares will also rise, making commuting costlier.”
Praveen Malik of the United Association of New Gurugram shared the same worry. “Now commercial and heavy vehicle drivers will try to bypass toll plazas through internal routes, leading to congestion and chaos in residential sectors,” he said.
Despite the backlash, NHAI officials say toll collection is necessary for the expressway’s upkeep and long-term sustainability. They hope the monthly pass system will help balance revenue needs with local convenience.
Also Read: ₹1-cr in cash recovered from car in Rohtak
Follow us
