The government of Karnataka has decided to increase toll charges by 3 to 5 percent starting April 1. The official notification is expected soon. The new hike, which is applicable to the 66 toll plazas, will affect motorists across the state. The new toll will depend on the concessionaire period for each toll plaza, as confirmed by KB Jayakumar, the NHAI Bengaluru Project Director.
As per reports, the toll rate adjustment will be calculated based on the annual wholesale price index, which is used to determine inflation and pricing changes. This hike is expected to affect commuters at large, including those heading to the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) and those using Bengaluru’s Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR).
Radhakrishna Holla, the president of the Karnataka State Travel Operators’ Association, has commented on the impact of the toll hikes, noting that the increased charges will inevitably be passed on to customers. This means that people who are dependent on toll routes will face higher transportation costs, whether using private vehicles, cabs, or public transport services like the state-owned Vayu Vajra buses.
New rates
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has decided to fix new toll rates at many prime toll plazas. For example, at the Sadahalli toll plaza (which serves commuters traveling to KIA), the new rates will see a hike.
As of now, the single journey toll for cars, jeeps, and vans is INR 115, with a return journey costing INR 170. After the hike, these vehicles will pay INR 120 for a one-way trip and INR 180 for a return journey. The monthly pass for 50 single journeys will increase from INR 3,835 to INR 3,970.
For light commercial vehicles (LCVs) and minibuses, the revised toll charges will be INR 185 for a single journey, INR 275 for a return trip, and INR 6,100 for a monthly pass. These charges represent a noticeable rise from the current toll fees of INR 175 for a single journey, INR 265 for a return journey, and INR 5,890 for a monthly pass.
The revised rates for buses and trucks are INR 370 for a single journey, INR 550 for a return journey, and INR 12,265 for a monthly pass, which are up from the current charges of INR 355, INR 535, and INR 11,845, respectively.
Other Routes
The toll hikes will also affect vehicles travelling on the Satellite Town Ring Road (STRR). On the 42-km stretch between Dobbspet and Doddaballapur, users will now pay INR 110 for a single journey, INR 165 for a return journey, and INR 3,615 for a monthly pass at the Hulikunte toll plaza. Presently, the toll charges for this route are INR 105 for a single journey, INR 155 for a return trip, and INR 3,490 for a monthly pass.
On the other hand, the toll rates for the Doddaballapur bypass-Hoskote stretch (spanning 34.15 km) will also see an increase. At the Nalluru Devanahalli toll plaza, commuters will pay INR 85 for a single journey and INR 125 for a return journey, compared to the current charges of INR 70 and INR 105.
The toll hikes are expected to have a broad impact on all commuters who use these routes daily, especially those in private vehicles, cabs, and buses. While the increase is relatively modest, the effect on daily and monthly travellers will be significant.
