Kherki Dhaula once again: Female attendant asks for toll, gets punched

Gurugram: Worried over the increase in number of incidents involving male toll attendants being beaten, shot at and even being abducted, the management operating Kherki toll plaza thought of deputing female toll attendants. A year-and-a-half after the idea was implemented, this too seems to be falling apart as some unruly and rowdy drivers do not even seem to think twice while being violent even towards women.

In the latest case of brazenness, a woman toll attendant identified as Santosh was punched on the nose by one of the drivers who was driving an SUV. The two according to sources had an argument over the payment of the toll. Following the incident, the woman was admitted to the hospital. The insanity did not stop there. In order to flee from the spot, the driver injured one more worker by his speeding SUV. The worker who has been identified as Dinesh has also been admitted in the hospital for treatment.

The entire incident transpired at around 8:50 am at lane 27. Worryingly this is the sixth such indent where drivers have resorted to violence against female toll attendants. Various toll attendants highlight that there is often a lurking danger of violence in dealing with aggressive customers. Toll attendants highlight that the customers not willing to pay the amount argue with the toll attendants in order to intimidate the toll booth attendant.

Further, the toll booth attendants highlight that they continue to bear the ire of local commuters who accuse the toll booth attendants of harassing them. "A major problem is being faced in dealing with the local commuters. As per rules, we are not allowed to charge them. However, they have to show a proper identity. As most of the people do not carry proper identity cards, the fact that we ask them to pay makes them angry and they start abusing us or in some case now physically assault us," said a toll booth attendant who asked for anonymity.

"Our vulnerability has increased as most of the people who abuse us and physically assault us get away because of their influence," said the toll booth attendant.

Raghav Shama who passes through Kherki Dhaula said, "There is a growing animosity against toll booths especially the Kherki Daula toll booth and citizens want it to be removed. Even as the Government has committed that the Kherki Daula toll booth will be removed, there is just no action on the ground and all the commuters feel angry when they pay a high amount each time at the toll."

In the evening, Gurugram police arrested the person who attacked Santosh. The person has been identified as 40-year-old Manjeet who belongs to nearby Shikohpur village and is an owner of gym.

According to Gurugram police, Manjeet has three cases registered against him that includes murder and possession of illegal weapons.

According to police officials, Manjeet who was travelling with his friend Monu felt angry when asked to pay toll and in order to intimidate the officials punched the female toll attendant.