NHAI slams MCD over poor upkeep at toll plaza at the Sirhaul border on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway

Gurgaon: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has flagged serious maintenance lapses at Municipal Corporation of Delhi toll plaza at the Sirhaul border on Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, citing multiple deficiencies at one of the busiest entry points into the national capital.In a letter following a recent inspection, NHAI said poor upkeep was creating safety risks, hygiene concerns and inconvenience for commuters. It noted irregular housekeeping within the toll plaza area, with visible build-up of dust, dirt and garbage. NHAI also pointed to potholes and uneven road surfaces under the canopy, which could endanger vehicles slowing to pass through booths. It said toll plaza assets lacked adequate retro-reflective markings, reducing visibility at night, and described the booths as shabby and poorly maintained.MCD deputy commissioner (Najafgarh Zone), Sumit Kumar, said, "We did not yet receive the letter from NHAI regarding the concerns raised about potholes and maintenance at the Sirhaul toll plaza. Once it is received, we will examine the observations in detail and verify the situation on the ground. Appropriate action will be taken accordingly." The highways authority asked the civic body to take necessary corrective measures at the earliest and address the deficiencies flagged during the inspection."The maintenance of the road surrounding the toll plaza falls under the jurisdiction of the MCD. During our inspection, certain maintenance deficiencies were observed, and the matter was taken up with the civic body. We requested that the issues be addressed on priority," an NHAI official said.Sirhaul border toll plaza is a key entry point between Delhi and Gurgaon and a bottleneck during peak hours. Last month, TOI reported how commuters were stuck in the stretch due to broken and uneven patches near the toll plaza. "Firstly, the traffic management at the toll plaza is not streamlined, and uneven and damaged surfaces further aggravate the problem. When vehicles pass, dust rises, which makes the situation worse. Thousands of vehicles cross this point daily, so basic maintenance and better coordination are essential. There are multiple agencies involved, but the responsibility should be fixed. Authorities need to review pending issues, and ensure the problems are resolved in a time-bound manner," said Praveen Yadav, president of Gurgaon Udyog Association.