Tolling officially began on the Dwarka Expressway early on Sunday, November 9, taking many daily commuters by surprise. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) commenced toll collection at the Bijwasan plaza around 8 am, marking the first such implementation on the newly developed corridor linking Delhi and Gurugram.

Motorists said they were unaware that tolling would begin this weekend, with no public announcement or prior intimation from the authorities. “Had NHAI given a few days’ notice, people could have made local passes or opted for annual FASTag options. We came to know only when we reached the gate,” said Anil Kumar, who uses the route regularly.

Temporary relief for local users

To ease the sudden transition, NHAI has provided a three-day relaxation period for local residents. From Sunday, three lanes on each side of the Bijwasan toll plaza will remain toll-free for local traffic until Tuesday. Officials said this measure aims to give residents enough time to apply for local monthly passes.

Camps have been set up in the nearby areas to assist locals with registration and pass issuance. “The idea is to prevent inconvenience to those who live near the corridor and use it daily for short commutes,” an NHAI official said.

Residents living within a 20 km radius of the Bijwasan toll plaza can obtain a local monthly pass by paying Rs 340, which covers 50 trips within a month. After the three-day window, those without valid passes will be charged the standard toll rates.

As per the notified structure, a one-way car journey through the Bijwasan plaza will cost Rs 220, while a return journey within 24 hours will cost Rs 330. At the Kherki Daula toll plaza, the one-way rate for cars has been fixed at Rs 95, and a return trip will cost Rs 145.

Officials clarified that if a vehicle first crosses the Bijwasan plaza, it will pay the fee there and will not be charged again at Kherki Daula in the same direction. However, if a vehicle passes Kherki Daula first, it will have to pay the applicable toll there and then pay the difference upon reaching Bijwasan.

The abrupt start to tolling triggered frustration among local drivers, many of whom faced long queues and confusion at the plaza on the first morning. Some said that even the digital signboards and banners were set up only hours before the collection began.

Several commuters expressed concern over how the move might affect daily travel costs for those working in Delhi or Gurugram. Many urged the government to issue clear notifications in advance for such changes to avoid public inconvenience.

The Dwarka Expressway, a major infrastructure project aimed at easing congestion on the Delhi–Gurugram Expressway and near the airport corridor, has been under development for years. The stretch is expected to divert a significant portion of traffic from the heavily used NH-48 and improve connectivity between West Delhi and Gurugram sectors.