The era of free commuting on the highly anticipated Dwarka Expressway has officially ended. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has started toll collection at the newly operational Bijwasan Toll Plaza, placing the entire 30-km Delhi–Gurugram stretch under its tolling network.
New Toll Rules for Commuters
All vehicles crossing the Delhi–Haryana border via the expressway will now pay a user fee, ending months of free access since the road opened earlier this year. The Bijwasan plaza has also been linked directly to the Kherki Daula toll, where rates have recently been revised upward despite ongoing public demands to remove the plaza altogether.
Revised Toll Rates
- Kherki Daula LMVs:
- One-way: ₹95
- Same-day return: ₹145
(Earlier: ₹80, no return-trip option)
- Total cost Delhi → Gurugram via Dwarka Expressway:
- One-way: ₹220
- Return: ₹330
(For those without local monthly/annual passes)
Monthly Pass for Local Residents
After public backlash, NHAI announced a ₹340 monthly pass for residents living within 20 km of the expressway.
However, many locals argue that:
- Many vehicles are registered outside Gurugram
- RC and Aadhaar addresses often don’t match
- This makes them ineligible for a local pass
How Tolling Will Work
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways clarified the billing formula:
- If a driver crosses Bijwasan first, they pay that toll and will not be charged again at Kherki Daula for the same trip.
- If they cross Kherki Daula first, they must pay additional differential charges at Bijwasan.
Hefty Penalties for Overloaded Vehicles
Vehicles exceeding the permitted weight limit will face penalties up to 10× the regular toll.
Public Concerns & Rising Anger
Local associations and daily commuters are voicing strong objections:
- Tolls may defeat the purpose of easing congestion on NH-8
- Commercial and heavy vehicles may divert into internal colony roads, increasing traffic chaos
- Cab fares and daily travel costs will rise
Sunil Sareen, Dwarka Expressway Gurugram Development Association, said:
“Levelling charges defeats the purpose of this expressway. People will now look for alternative routes.”
Praveen Malik, United Association of New Gurugram, added:
“Commercial vehicles will bypass plazas through internal routes, causing congestion inside residential sectors.”
NHAI’s Stand
Despite criticism, NHAI maintains that tolling is necessary for:
- Maintenance costs
- Long-term project sustainability
- Balancing revenue with resident convenience via monthly passes
