Additional Rs 155 toll at Ganangur on 10-lane expressway from July 1 angers motorists

MANDYA: Close on the heels of the hike in toll charges on the 10-lane expressway between Bengaluru and Mysuru at the Kaniminike toll plaza, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has introduced another toll on the Nidaghatta-Mysuru section at Ganangur, inviting anger from motorists. The fresh toll will come into effect from from July 1.

Motorists travelling between Bengaluru and Mysuru will now have to pay Rs 165 at the Kaniminike toll plaza and again shell out Rs 155 at the Ganangur toll plaza. A one-way journey will now cost Rs 320. Vehicle users have vented their anger against the Union government and the NHAI stating that they are being fleeced now after all the smooth talking before the election.

Motorists are angry that additional toll will be collected.

So far, motorists were under the impression that they will have to pay the toll at either of the toll plazas, but the plan to collect toll for the second stretch has infuriated them. The Union government developed the 10-lane expressway at a cost of Rs 9,000 crore and it was inaugurated in a hurry by Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the Karnataka Assembly election, to ease connectivity between the two cities.

“Using the service road will lead to more diesel consumption. The authorities should decrease the toll as it will become a burden on people”, said a truck driver. “Toll at two places is a burden on people. They should reduce the toll”, said a taxi driver. Another goods vehicle driver felt the toll is too high and said, “Maybe it is better to use the service road itself”.

Vehicle users say the toll is too steep and should be reduced.

Mandya MLA P. Ravikumar said that just a few days ago, the district in-charge minister held a meeting at his Bengaluru office with the MLAs from Mandya, Malavalli, Maddur and Srirangapatna and NHAI officials and nothing of about the new toll was discussed.

“The NHAI regional director and project director were told that until and unless ten major issues were sorted out in our constituencies, they should not collect any toll. I will write to Chief Minister and the Union minister. The NHAI officals are stupid. The expressway is a scam to make money”, he added.

Mandya MLA P Ravikumar Gowda said he will write to the CM and the Union government on the toll issue.

As per the notification, the toll at the Ganangur plaza for a one-way trip will be Rs 155 for cars/jeeps/vans, Rs 250 for light commercial/goods vehicles, Rs 525 for double axle trucks and buses, Rs 575 for three-axle commercial vehicles, Rs 825 for heavy machinery/earthmoving equipment and multi-axle vehicles (8-6 axles) and Rs 1,005 for vehicles having seven axles and more. The toll for return journey on the same day will be Rs 235, Rs 375, Rs 790, Rs 860, Rs 1,240 and Rs 1,510 for the same categories of vehicles, respectively.

Within Mandya district, the toll will be will be Rs 80 for cars/jeeps/vans, Rs 125 for light commercial/goods vehicles, Rs 265 for double axle trucks and buses, Rs 285 for three-axle commercial vehicles, Rs 415 for heavy machinery/earthmoving equipment and multi-axle vehicles (8-6 axles) and Rs 505 for vehicles having seven axles and more.