Commuters on vehicles, except two-wheelers, bound for the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) will not have to pay any toll on the onward journey, but will be charged double while returning to the City. The toll collection is expected to begin in 10 days.
With the Karnataka government having permitted the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to collect toll on Bellary Road, three toll plazas are being readied for the purpose near BIA. Barring two-wheelers, all vehicles plying on the main carriageway that starts after Sadahalli Cross will have to pay the toll. In other words, no vehicle will be charged the toll on their journey towards BIA, Hyderabad and other places. But while returning, they have to pay double the toll (onward and return) and those coming from Hyderabad a one-way fee.
Two-wheeler riders need not pay even on the return journey, as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is building an exclusive lane for them on the left side (while returning from BIA).
“Last year, we had published advertisements that, after a stipulated time, we will start collecting toll. Accordingly, we will collect the fee from users of our six-lane road,” RK Gupta, NHAI Project Director, said.
Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj described the move as “robbery” and threatened to launch a movement if the toll was not withdrawn.